Inside the London Clinic: The private hospital where Kate Middleton was treated has its own concierge, offers meat from Smithfields market and fish from Cornish boats and counts Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, Liz Taylor and JFK among its famous patients
For decades it was the hospital of the royal family, leading politicians and celebrities.
The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales is being treated after abdominal surgery, first opened its doors in 1932.
The illustrious list of previous patients includes Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor and future US President John F. Kennedy.
The clinic has a leading cancer center where patients are received for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments.
The company boasts that it can provide 'CyberKnife' radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients, 'SpyGlass' technology for patients requiring endoscopy and CAR-T immunotherapy for cancer patients.
In 2019, it unveiled a specialized center for robotic surgery.
Patients receive their own concierge service, while the hospital's chef heads up a kitchen serving fish from Cornish boats and meat from Smithfields Market.
The London Clinic has previously treated Prince Philip. The late Duke of Edinburgh is pictured above leaving the private hospital in 2013
The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales is being treated after abdominal surgery, first opened in 1932. Above: Police outside the hospital today as Kate undergoes treatment
Since the 1980s, a number of facilities at the site have been officially launched by members of the Royal Family.
The King, as then Prince of Wales, opened the physiotherapy department in 1989, while Princess Margaret launched the MRI unit in 1991 and the late Queen unveiled a new cancer unit in 2010.
Prince Philip was admitted to the clinic in 2013 for what was described as an 'abdominal examination', while Princess Margaret was treated there in 1980 to have a benign skin lesion removed.
In 1947, Kennedy, then a US congressman, was diagnosed with Addison's disease in the clinic.
Taylor underwent knee surgery there in January 1963 after falling on a film set.
Other former patients include former Labor Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who was admitted for surgery on his prostate in 1939 – when he was Leader of the Opposition.
Another former prime minister, the Conservative Anthony Eden, had his gallbladder removed at the London Clinic in 1953 when he was Foreign Secretary.
Current Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016, was born there in 1966.
Kate, Charlotte, George, William and Louis at the service on Christmas Day 2023 at Sandringham
Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor underwent knee surgery at The London Clinic in January 1963. Above: Taylor left the hospital with her leg bandaged
Princess Margaret was treated there in 1980 to have a benign skin lesion removed
Future Labor Prime Minister Clement Attlee – then Leader of the Opposition – is seen in bed at the London Clinic in 1939, after undergoing surgery on his prostate
EastEnders actress Wendy Richard died in the clinic in 2009 after breast cancer, while Chile's former dictator Augusto Pinochet was arrested there in 1998 for crimes against humanity.
The London Clinic was officially opened in 1932 by the then Duke and Duchess of York.
It was the brainchild of a group of Harley Street doctors who wanted to plan a new nursing home to the highest medical standards of the time.
According to its website, the hospital was “founded on the principles of delivering excellence in one place.”
The facility said it could treat 155 conditions, with hundreds of treatments, tests and scans available.
It also acted as a charity, reinvesting in research, education and innovation.
At the last Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection, carried out in June 2021, The London Clinic was rated as “good” overall.
According to the health watchdog, the hospital has around 23,000 inpatients a year, with a further 110,000 outpatients.
It is registered to provide surgery, diagnostics and screening, treatment of diseases, conditions or injuries, management of the blood supply and blood derived products.
The building at 20 Devonshire Place has seven main operating theaters and three additional theatres, as well as six specialist departments for urology, gynaecology, thoracic surgery, orthopedics and spine procedures.
In 2021, the clinic's head chef, Paul O'Brien, received an award for supporting patients during the coronavirus pandemic.
He leads a team that provides tailor-made meals for patients, also sourcing ingredients from Home Counties farms.
A concierge can help patients arrange travel and accommodation, as well as book tours, theater shows and restaurants in the capital.
A spokesperson for Kate said this afternoon: '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.
Queen Elizabeth II leaves the London Clinic after visiting her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on June 15, 2013
“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.”