The Princess of Wales has temporarily stepped back from her royal duties to undergo scheduled abdominal surgery, the spokesperson for the Princess informed. The spokesperson added she is "doing well".
The anticipated return is set for post-Easter, contingent upon her health.
Since the announcement on January 17, the public and media have been grappling with a void of information, leading to widespread misinformation and speculation.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was admitted to a hospital for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery," read the statement.
Concerns heightened on Tuesday (27) when Prince William was noticeably absent from King Constantine's memorial service at Windsor Castle.
Responding to the ensuing social media speculation, a representative for Kate stated to US Weekly, "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter, and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant."
Emphasizing that the 'guidance stands,' the spokesperson sought to dispel unfounded rumors regarding Prince William's absence.
The speculation on social media reached its peak with theories suggesting Prince Charles's absence from Constantine's service was linked to the Princess's health. The spokesperson firmly denied any connection, reinforcing the established timeline for her return.
The ongoing chatter surrounding the Princess' well-being even included baseless claims from a journalist in Spain, alleging that she was in a 'medically induced coma.' The palace swiftly dismissed this as 'ludicrous,' confirming on January 29 that the Princess was 'making good progress.'
According to the official statement, the Princess underwent scheduled abdominal surgery at the London Clinic on January 17. Following 13 days of treatment and recovery at the clinic, she was discharged and is currently recuperating at home in Adelaide Cottage, Windsor.
While specifics about her condition remain undisclosed, it has been confirmed as non-cancerous.
Addressing another notable absence, Prince William's withdrawal from King Constantine's remembrance service was clarified as unrelated to the sudden death of Thomas Kingston, son-in-law to Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and husband to Lady Gabriella.
The royal family expressed their grief, acknowledging Kingston as a 'much-loved member of the family.' As the Princess of Wales focuses on her recovery, the palace urges the public to rely on official updates and respect the established privacy boundaries during this period.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event