Inside Kate's recovery - hands-on help, country retreat and work from home
The Princess of Wales is continuing to recover from abdominal surgery - and a rare update has been given about her recuperation.
Sources say that Kate, 42, "continues to be doing well" following the operation and an almost two-week stay in hospital last month before she was discharged to continue her recovery at home.
The exact details of the princess's condition have not been revealed but the Palace said previously it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private. However, it has been confirmed that she will not be undertaking any public royal duties until after Easter and will use the next two to three months to focus on recuperating from her surgery. Here we look at Kate's journey to recovery...
Leaving hospital
The first major milestone in Kate's recovery from abdominal surgery on January 16 came almost two weeks later when she finally left the London Clinic to head back home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
Kate is now recovering from surgery at home (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
Kate when she was last seen in public (UK Press via Getty Images)Her discharge from the clinic was confirmed by Kensington Palace, who added that the princess was making "good progress" and wished 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".
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Extra hands
Thankfully, William and Kate, who was last seen in public on Christmas Day, won't be alone in juggling her recovery and childcare duties as they are being supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, are also expected to be hands-on in helping the Waleses navigate the next few months as the princess recovers.
Careful watch
Meanwhile, just because Kate has left hospital, it doesn't mean her medical care has ended. That's because she will be under the careful watch of royal doctors and also benefit from the London Clinic's aftercare, with dedicated physiotherapists on hand with a personalised plan and a video check-up at home with a nurse specialist on offer.
Kate is not expected to return to public duties until Easter (PA)NHS advice about recovering from abdominal surgery says that, after a major operation with a large incision, it takes two to three months to be able to move around comfortably. But this will be quicker if the procedure was keyhole.
Patients who have major abdominal surgery are urged to avoid lifting anything heavier than the weight of a full kettle – around 4.4lb-6.6lb (2kg-3kg). It can also take two years for the strength of the abdominal wall to return to its previous condition. Sitting and standing exercises are recommended to build strength, with an aim of walking gradually each day, increasing distance to reach 30 minutes daily within two to three months.
Country retreat
Earlier this month, in a sign her recovery is going well, Kate was believed to have left Adelaide Cottage for the first time to continue her recovery elsewhere. Both she, Prince William and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are all said to have decamped to their country retreat of Anmer Hall in Norfolk for the half-term school holidays in mid February.
A source told the Daily Mail: "Catherine is recovering well. She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William."
'Doing well'
And this week, another update was shared on the Princess of Wales ' health after William pulled out of a royal event due to a 'personal matter'.
The Prince of Wales had been due to attend a memorial service on Tuesday for the late King Constantine of Greece, who was also his godfather, at Windsor Castle but decided not to attend. However, according to a royal source, William's absence from the event wasunderstood not to be in relation to the Princess of Wales' continued recovery at home in Windsor from abdominal surgery last month. The source said: "The Princess of Wales continues to be doing well."
Diaries rearranged
Of course, Kate's recuperation period means all of her engagements for the next few months have been postponed and it is understood her return to official duties will depend on medical advice nearer the time.
Among the engagements the princess will miss over the coming weeks is the annual Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey as well as the St Patrick’s Day parade with the military next month. Official overseas tours for William and Kate are also off the table for the time being.
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However, aides insist although the princess will be out of sight over the next few weeks she is likely to be working behind the scenes on one of her long-running project. "Her passion for the early years is clear – there will be a huge continuation of that campaign and she will be keen to be out continuing that conversation with the nation as soon as possible," a source told the Sunday Times. Kensington Palace declined to comment.
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