New York Post

GOD SAVE KING AND KATE

Royals in separate hospital ordeals

- By NIKA SHAKHNAZAR­OVA

Buckingham Palace is starting to look like a hospital ward.

Both King Charles III and Kate Middleton are being hospitaliz­ed for medical problems, the royal family announced Wednesday.

The Princess of Wales already underwent a “planned abdominal surgery” and will remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days. She “is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” the palace said.

Meanwhile, the king, 75, 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 palace said.

According to medical experts, an enlarged prostate — or benign prostatic hyperplasi­a (BPH) — affects around 80% of men over the age of 70.

Middleton, 42, expressed her desire to “maintain as much normality for her children as possible” and beyond the announceme­nt have her personal informatio­n remain private.

She and Prince William share three children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The couple was initially slated to take their first overseas trip of 2024 in the coming weeks to meet troops.

The medical problem was not cancerous and she will recover at her home in Windsor.

Abdominal surgeries often treat issues that affect the abdomen and organs, including the stomach, small intestines, spleen, appendix and the colon. Procedures may be needed to alleviate problems such as infection, tumors, hernia repair or bowel disease.

Heavy burden on Will

Kate’s surgery recovery is expected to have a “huge impact” on the royal family behind closed doors, according to King Charles III’s former butler.

Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, says the surgery will no doubt have an effect on the royals, and will force her husband, Prince William, to pick up the extra workload.

“Without question, this will have a huge impact. Kate is arguably one of the most favorable royals. Everybody loves seeing her,” Harrold exclusivel­y told The Post.

“Obviously, all engagement­s are planned six months in advance, if not more. These will all have to be changed, which will cause a fair bit of disappoint­ment, and possibly rearranged with different members of the royal family.”

“No doubt, Kate’s absence will be a setback here, with William likely to take it upon himself to keep up the momentum,” he added.

With Middleton being out of the public royal fold for the next few months, Harrold says her husband will have to “get used to” having more on his plate as he prepares to one day take the throne.

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 ?? ?? PRINCESS OF AILS: Kate Middleton (looking luminous in December) will step back from duties until ”after Easter” amid health concerns, while King Charles is battling an enlarged prostate.
PRINCESS OF AILS: Kate Middleton (looking luminous in December) will step back from duties until ”after Easter” amid health concerns, while King Charles is battling an enlarged prostate.

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