Royals release new statement about Kate Middleton after staying out of public eye for two months following abdominal surgery
Kensington Palace has released a new statement on Kate Middleton’s health after she was out of the public eye for two months following a planned abdominal surgery.
A Palace spokesperson reassured well-wishers as speculation continues to grow online following a series of royal health scares.
A royal spokesperson said: ‘Kensington Palace made the timelines of the Princess’ recovery clear in January and we would only provide important updates. That leadership remains in place.’
However, officials added that the Princess of Wales continues to do ‘well’. Kate plans to return to royal engagements after Easter.
The update comes after royal commentators warned the royal family to be more open about why Prince William was absent from his godfather’s memorial, which was attributed to an unspecified ‘personal reason’.
The Princess of Wales was last seen on Christmas Day last year when she went to church in Sandringham
William at the Baftas in London on February 18 before suddenly withdrawing from the monument to his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece, for an unspecified ‘personal reason’
Prince Andrew leads members of the royal family, including the Tindalls, into St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle yesterday
The Prince of Wales was seen today visiting the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in central London, while the Princess of Wales was last seen at Sandringham at Christmas.
The heir retired from the service of the late King Constantine of Greece, who died last January, while his father King Charles was also absent as his cancer treatment continued.
Queen Camilla was instead the eldest member of the royal family present, with Prince Andrew also playing a prominent role as he led fellow royals into service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
No further details have been given about William’s absence and it is unknown whether this is related to the recovery of his wife, the Princess of Wales.
The royal family was clear that his absence was not related to the death of Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, who died suddenly on Sunday evening aged 45.
Royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline that the royals have a ‘right to privacy’ but ‘these are not normal times’ given Charles and Catherine’s recent health problems.
“I fear that if a reason is not given at the last minute as to why Prince William is pulling out, speculation will inevitably arise, some of which will be wild and unfair, but that is the nature of social media these days,” he said.
‘There were recently lurid reports in a Greek publication about Kate’s health, for which there is no evidence, but these rumors are quickly spreading around the world.
No further details have been given about William’s absence and it is unknown whether this is related to the recovery of his wife, the Princess of Wales
Officials said tonight that the Princess of Wales continues to do ‘well’. Kate plans to return to royal engagements after Easter
The order of service still shows William’s title (highlighted in red by MailOnline), as it was drawn up before he withdrew
‘The palace made it clear that Kate is recovering well and we saw the king return to London from Windsor, possibly for treatment.
“But we still don’t know what compelling personal reason prompted William to cancel. “I think he needs to be more open if the palace wants to avoid speculation.”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams called the silence of courtiers a ‘gift for conspiracy theorists’.
“William would have known his unexplained absence would make world headlines, despite sources assuring the media it was not related to Catherine’s health,” he said.
‘The palace subsequently stood still, so speculation continues.
‘The royal family is of course entitled to privacy, but the extent to which that right is exercised has always been a subject of discussion.
“The lack of explanation when the unexpected occurs is a gift to conspiracy theorists. And it is clear that this is a time when the royal family – of which only four working members are under the age of 70 – is under enormous pressure.”
Daily Mail’s Andrew Pierce and Sarah Vine also implored the Royals to fully explain the Prince of Wales’s absence
The King has been seen attending church at Sandringham every Sunday, but public duties have been suspended
William, pictured on February 20, said he missed the service at St George’s Chapel for ‘personal reasons’ but no further details were given
The family’s health problems have exposed the reality of a stripped-down monarchy. There has been a sudden shortage of frontline royals since the start of the year after Charles and Kate both went to hospital around the same time in January.
It saw the Prince of Wales take on a greater share of public duties, while supporting Kate and caring for his three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
Karel was admitted for surgery for a benign prostate condition last month, but was subsequently diagnosed with an unrelated cancer.
The monarch has withdrawn from public duties while he undergoes treatment. Kate underwent abdominal surgery at the same time and is currently recovering after a two-week stay in hospital.
A statement from Kensington Palace at the time said: ‘The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate.
“She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children; and her desire for her personal medical information to remain private.
‘Kensington Palace will therefore only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’s progress if there is important new information to share.
“The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to everyone involved for having to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many people as possible as soon as possible.”