Buckingham Palace announced both royals are recovering after receiving medical care.
Two of the most senior members of Britain’s royal family are now recuperating at home after being hospitalized for surgeries.
On Jan. 29, Buckingham Palace revealed that both Kate Middleton and King Charles III have now been discharged from The London Clinic. This comes after the Princess of Wales underwent a “planned abdominal surgery,” while the king had a “corrective procedure” for an enlarged prostate.
Though both of them are in stable condition, little else is known, which isn’t exactly surprising given that the family has long been hush-hush when it comes to health.
The news comes after a turbulent last few years for the monarch with the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of Charles last year.
Amid speculation about Kate and Charles’ health, here’s a breakdown of what we know so far about their conditions.
What surgery did Kate Middleton have?
The Princess of Wales, who turned 42 earlier this month, underwent abdominal surgery on Jan. 16 for a non-cancerous medical issue. After being hospitalized for up to two weeks, she returned to her home in Windsor to heal from her operation and officials say she’s already making “good progress.”
“The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
But the monarchy didn’t elaborate on why she had the procedure in the first place, only that she won’t resume her royal responsibilities until March 31. (The Prince of Wales will also be taking a break while his wife is in the hospital and after she is discharged.) “Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” the statement said.
Though the princess has generally been known to be in good health, she was previously hospitalized while pregnant after suffering from severe morning sickness.
Why is King Charles III having surgery?
King Charles III had surgery on Jan. 16 for an enlarged prostate. The good news is that it’s benign, meaning that it’s not generally a serious health threat. Still, this means the 75-year-old king is following doctor’s orders, and temporarily taking a break from his royal duties.
“The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation,” the palace said in a statement. “His Majesty would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days.”
Ultimately, the king hoped to raise awareness around men’s health. When his condition was first made public, the palace linked to more information from Britain’s National Health Service about benign prostate enlargement, which is generally found in men over the age of 50. Symptoms typically include going to the bathroom more often than usual and having difficulty peeing.
“His Majesty was keen to share the details of his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with public health advice,” the statement said.
