King Charles is likely to miss Burns Night and Investitures and had 'meetings planned at Dumfries House this week' – and has been seen in public just three times in January

King Charles III is likely to miss Burns Night celebrations, the performance of the Investitures and 'meetings planned at Dumfries House tomorrow' – after it was announced he will go to hospital next week to be treated for an enlarged prostate.

While the level of detail about the monarch's health is unusual, the King was keen to share his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked, in line with public health advice.

Charles had a series of meetings and events planned at Dumfries House tomorrow and Friday, which have now been postponed on doctor's advice. Guests, including foreign dignitaries and cabinet members, were expected to travel to the events.

The king's public appearances will also be postponed for a short period of recovery, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

This could rule out the monarch holding upcoming investitures and also celebrating Burns Night on January 25, an annual holiday that toasts Scotland's most famous poet, Robert Burns. In the past, Charles has celebrated the holiday publicly.

Charles is also patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and last year the King and Queen welcomed survivors for an audience at Buckingham Palace to mark the day, which falls on Saturday, January 27.

If the procedure is carried out late next week, it seems likely he will not be able to celebrate the day publicly.

So far this year the King has only been photographed three times – the first was a visit to Flitcham Church of England Primary Academy on January 5, where he opened the new library, called The Coronation Library, in his honour.

After the trip to the school in Norfolk, he was seen at a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on January 7. He was also pictured going to Crathie Kirk near Balmoral to attend church on January 14.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at 3.30pm today: 'Like thousands of men every year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.

“His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King's public appearances will be postponed for a short period of recovery.”

Kensington Palace separately revealed today that the Princess of Wales was being treated in hospital following a successful abdominal surgery.

Kate, 42, was admitted to the London Clinic yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home. She will then recover and be away from official duties for up to three months.

Kate is not expected to return to public events until after Easter, and her husband Prince William will be by his wife and children's side throughout.

The two health updates on senior royals came within 90 minutes of each other, with Kensington Palace first at 2pm and Buckingham Palace at 3.30pm.

Kate was not rushed to hospital and according to reports, her condition was not something that developed over the weekend.

The prince will also postpone a number of appointments to support his family, and will not take on any official duties while his wife is in hospital.

He will also not perform any official duties in the immediate period following Kate's return home. Royal aides will provide a revised schedule for William in due course.

Kate has a close bond with her family, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton will join her and help support her recovery at the Waleses' home in Windsor.

Neither William nor Kate will be traveling internationally in the coming months.

William and Kate were said to be planning a high-profile visit to Rome this spring as part of a European charm offensive, but that is now in doubt.

The princess celebrated her birthday just over a week ago, with the monarchy's official social media accounts sharing a new behind-the-scenes photo of the princess at the king's coronation.

Kate is generally in good health, but was hospitalized earlier in her pregnancy after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe morning sickness.

A palace spokesperson said at 2pm today: 'Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to the London Clinic yesterday for a planned abdominal operation.

'The operation was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on current medical advice, it is unlikely that she will resume her public duties until after Easter.

“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.”