Kate spends fourth day in hospital as she is urged to take recovery slowly
The Princess of Wales is spending her fourth day in hospital after receiving a visit from her husband the Prince of Wales.
William kept Kate company at her bedside in the London Clinic during a low key, private trip to see his wife on Thursday.
The future Queen was admitted to the private hospital on Tuesday for successful abdominal surgery, which Kensington Palace said was planned.
Kensington Palace announced the news on Wednesday, with Buckingham Palace triggering a double royal health scare when 90 minutes later it revealed the King was to be treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate.
Heir to the throne William has stepped back from official duties for several weeks to juggle looking after their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and care for his wife.
Kate’s family Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are also expected to be hands-on in helping the Waleses navigate the next few months as the princess recovers.
Nine-year-old double amputee Tony, who has raised more than £1.8 million for charity, counts Kate as his “number one supporter”.
Tony’s mother Paula Hudgell said: “She is very special to us. She has been absolutely wonderful and has been a number one supporter through Tony’s fundraising and everything with the hospital.”
“She needs to take her time and not rush back to things. Take each day as it comes.”
With the King due in hospital next week for corrective treatment for his benign condition and William – the next in line to the throne – and Kate out of action for the immediate future, Charles’s slimmed down monarchy – with three of the most senior royals missing – has been put under pressure in a way not seen before during his reign.
Mr Little said: “The working members of the royal family have been under pressure to maintain the level of engagements undertaken by a much larger team in years gone by.
“Suddenly removing three of the most senior players because of health issues compounds the problem considerably, but at least the King will be out of action for only a relatively short period.”
The Queen is still carrying out engagements, joining the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra as the current working monarchy – with the latter two appearing increasingly frail in recent years.
All are in their 70s and 80s except for Edward, who is 60 in March, and Sophie, who celebrates her 59th birthday on Saturday.
The Duke of Sussex, whose controversial accusations have left the royals reeling, and the disgraced Duke of York remain in the line of succession but both have stepped down as working royals.
Charles – a known workaholic – often stays late at his desk dealing with his correspondence and official papers into the early hours, but he has generally enjoyed good health, and keeps fit by walking and gardening.
He has postponed a number of engagements and will have been ordered by his doctors to take it easy.
The 75-year-old monarch – who held the record for being the nation’s longest serving heir apparent – acceded to the throne just 16 months ago on the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who was the head of state for 70 years.