'Working From Bed': Kate Middleton's 'Unwavering Commitment' to Royal Duty Will Find Her Staying Busy During Surgery Recovery
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is currently recovering in the London Clinic after abdominal surgery on Tuesday, January 16. With reports suggesting the cause of her operation was "serious," it will likely come as a surprise to many that Her Royal Highness plans to stay busy during her 10-12-week recuperation. A source close to the future queen said that she has an "unwavering commitment to duty" while sharing her intention to "work from bed."
"We don't know what's wrong or why she needed the operation," psychiatrist Dr. Max Pemberton told an outlet when highlighting Kate's predicament. "But Kate has always struck me as quite down-to-earth, level-headed, and stoical, so I'm sure she wouldn't have heeded medical advice and taken that much time off unless really necessary."
He continued: "Of course, there's always someone who will tell you how they had a hysterectomy in their lunch break, or their appendix removed while on the school run."
"But in reality we should all be taking a leaf out of Kate's book and convalescing properly." Highlighting the importance of proper recovery, Dr Pemberton warned: "We need to allow ourselves time to get both physically and mentally back up to speed. So many of us are guilty of rushing back to work too quickly."
Although King Charles III's operation planned prostate surgery this week is rumored to be "minimally invasive" and "routine," it is the "concerning" and "odd" condition of Prince William's immensely popular wife that has royal watchers on edge.
"It's going to be a long stay in hospital afterward — these days they get the patients out of hospital as soon as possible back on their feet," royal journalist Michael Cole, who has covered the royal family for decades, told an outlet. "So that also does indicate the seriousness of the nature of whatever it is that is ailing her."
When asked during an interview why the news was so "secretive" and "sudden" on the part of Kensington Palace, Cole added: "What's the point of announcing it beforehand? It will only create speculation."
The palace's official statement on Wednesday, January 17, read: "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery 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 the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."
The future queen has not been seen in public since Christmas Day, 2023, and is not expected to be seen until after Easter.
Daily Mirror spoke with Dr. Pemberton.