What is wrong with Kate Middleton and how is she now? Latest health update after abdominal surgery

28 February 2024, 11:43

By Alice Dear

How is Kate Middleton's health after her abdominal surgery? Where is she? Here's everything you need to know as she remains missing from the public eye.

Kate Middleton, 42, underwent abdominal surgery last month and has been recovering with her family post operation.

Buckingham Palace released a statement on Wednesday 17th January where they revealed that the surgery had been successful, but that the Princess of Wales will not be taking part in any activities or events until after Easter.

This news came shortly before it was announced King Charles III would be admitted to hospital to be treated for an enlarged prostate, before it was revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer.

While her family did not visit her in hospital, Kate has been spending time with her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, and husband Prince William, 42.

But how is Kate Middleton, what is wrong with her and what is the latest health update? Here is everything you need to know.

What is wrong with Kate Middleton?

It was confirmed by Buckingham Palace in January 2024 that Kate Middleton was in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery.

It is unknown when the surgery took place exactly, but it was revealed that it had been successful and that Kate would be continuing her recovery at home in Adelaide Cottage with her three children and William.

• Read more: Where is Kate Middleton? Princess of Wales leaves home for half-term break in Norfolk following surgery
• Read more: Why Kate Middleton's kids George, Charlotte and Louis didn't visit her in hospital

The Princess of Wales has not revealed the reason for the surgery, and has asked that her medical information remains private. Royal correspondents, however, have been advised that the surgery is not cancer related.

How is Kate Middleton now?

Since the announcement of Kate Middleton's abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace, like they said they would, have remained silent on the Princess of Wales' recovery.

However, on February 27th, a palace aide finally gave royal fans an update after concern for Kate continued to grow due to her absence from the public eye.

At the service for Greece’s King Constantine II, they said: "The Princess of Wales continues to be doing well.”

Prince William was forced to pull out of the event with less than an hour to go because of a "personal matter", which left many royal fans concerned for Kate, or King Charles. However, it is now believed to be because of the sad passing of Thomas Kingston.

If reports are to be believed, Kate is expected to be recovering well as she is said to be keen to return to work "as soon as possible."

While Kate is said to be keen to return to duties, it has been reported she and William are putting their family first, with the source saying: "The kids are always at the centre of their universe. That will continue to be the case. They want to make sure they have as much normality as possible going forwards."

What is abdominal surgery?

Abdominal surgery is a procedure where an incision is made through the abdomen to allow the surgeon to view pelvic organs and can leave a horizontal or vertical scar.

It can be used as an exploratory procedure (for diagnosis) or a treatment procedure for a specific condition.

According to the NHS, abdominal surgery can be needed for a wide range of medical issues, these include:

• Adhesions (bands of scar tissue)

• Fibroids (non cancerous growths of the muscle lining of the womb

• Cancer of the ovaries, cervix or womb

• Endometriosis (small patches of womb lining growing outside the womb) which can cause pain

• Debulking of tumours (cancers)

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

• Ovarian cysts

How long will Kate Middleton take to recover?

Kate Middleton remained in hospital for 10-14 days to recover from her abdominal surgery, Buckingham Palace shared.

It is believed the Princess of Wales has since returned home to Windsor where she will continue to recover until at least Easter.

All of Kate's public duties have been cancelled up until then to allow time for recovery, meanwhile Prince William has done the same in order to care for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis while his wife is getting better.

Read more:

• Kate Middleton's strict parenting rule for George, Charlotte and Louis they cannot break
• How Kate Middleton supported wrongly convicted Post Office worker through scandal
• Kate Middleton's uncle furiously slams The Crown's depiction of family