Prince William has been seen just once since Christmas – and is now likely to miss the BAFTAs, Six Nations and charity events as he remains by Kate's side as she recovers from surgery
Among other commitments, Prince William will likely miss the BAFTAs to stay by his wife's side as she recovers from abdominal surgery.
The Princess of Wales is being treated in hospital after successful abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace announced today.
Kate Middleton, 42, was admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for ten to 14 days before recovering at home in Windsor.
The Prince of Wales will remain at the side of his wife and children throughout and will not undertake any official duties while his wife is in hospital, and for the immediate period following her return home.
He is therefore postponing a number of appointments, including the BAFTAs on February 18, the Six Nations starting in two weeks and various charity events.
Last week, without Kate, the Prince of Wales met rugby legend Rob Burrow to present him with his CBE
William and Kate are likely to miss the Six Nations
The couple, pictured at last year's BAFTAS, are also likely to miss the event this year
William, the patron of the Welsh Rugby team, is likely to miss all the Six Nations Games.
Next month, France and Ireland will kick off this year's Six Nations Championship on February 2, for a match at the Orange Vélodrome in Marseille.
That weekend will also see matches between England and Italy in Rome and Wales against Scotland in Cardiff, where the Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to attend.
William was also due to undertake investitures in January and February, which he will now miss. Princess Anne will probably take his place.
William also attended the BAFTAs last year and has been president of the Academy since February 2010, but he will probably miss this year.
Last week, without Kate, the Prince of Wales met rugby legend Rob Burrow to present him with his CBE.
While touring the stadium in Leeds, Rob, who was diagnosed with the incurable and life-limiting condition in December 2019, told the Prince of Wales that his daughters had been practicing their bows ahead of the royal family's arrival.
Normally, the royals return to work in mid-January after the Christmas holidays. Last year, William and Kate opened the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on January 12.
William is also likely to miss out on any investitures
The Prince and Princess of Wales are due to make a high-profile visit to Rome this spring as part of a European charm offensive (Kate and William pictured at BAFTA in London in January 2023)
Kensington Palace announced today that the Princess of Wales has undergone abdominal surgery
And it's also not likely that we'll see the Prince of Shrove Tuesday this year – unless perhaps the couple has filmed something for a segment in advance.
In 2023, William and Kate were left in hysterics when she tried to flip a pancake during a visit to a care home on Shrove Tuesday.
She was all smiles as she arrived sportingly at Oxford House Nursing Home in Slough a floral face mask once inside.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were also due to make a high-profile visit to Rome this spring as part of a European charm offensive, which may now also be cancelled.
Last month, The Mail revealed that talks were underway at the highest level about William and Kate's first trip to Italy and that a date had been 'set in'.
It is not yet clear whether the short visit would also include a meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican.
Although Kensington Palace has not officially announced the trip, the charm offensive was intended to mark the couple's first trip on behalf of the government as the new Princess and Princess of Wales.
This is because although they traveled to Boston in the US this time last year, the trip was for Prince William's Earthshot Prize, a personal initiative.
At the time, it was understood that negotiations surrounding the couple's meeting with Pope Francis were still 'very high on the table' and that 'nothing has been decided yet'.
William is likely to return to work during this year's Commonwealth Day service on March 10.
It's entirely possible that he's going through St. Patrick's Day dates alone, which he usually does with Kate.
The princess will likely need between two and three months to recover and is not expected to return to her public duties until after Easter based on current medical advice, the palace said.
The Prince of Wales will not perform any official duties while his wife is in hospital and during the period immediately following her return home.
William is likely to return to work during this year's Commonwealth Day service on March 10. Had a photo with Kate last year
Another important date for the princess in March is the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Last year, she and the Prince of Wales were guests of honor at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, where William officially stepped down from the honorary regiment position in favor of Kate.
Heir to the throne William will combine his presence at Kate's side with caring for their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and he has postponed a number of engagements.
The palace declined to confirm what Kate was being treated for, but confirmed the condition was not cancer.
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.
Separately, Buckingham Palace said today that King Charles III will go to hospital next week to be treated with a 'corrective procedure' for an enlarged prostate.
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.