Kate Middleton returned home today after a two-week stay in hospital following abdominal surgery – with flowers and a gift bag left by wellwishers driven back to Windsor by a royal aide.
The Princess of Wales, 42, is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter, with her husband Prince William clearing his diary of official duties as she recovers at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park.
Kate went into The London Clinic 14 days ago on Tuesday, January 16 – with royal sources saying she was ‘making good progress’ and would now continue her recovery from home.
understands her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time, and William will return to public engagements once she is settled.
The Princess of Wales was discharged from hospital just hours before King Charles also left the London Clinic after a three-day stay to recover from prostate surgery. The beaming was pictured leaving the clinic with Queen Camilla by his side.
Flowers left for Kate by a wellwishers are seen being taken back to Windsor by a royal aide
Kate’s personal assistant Natasha Archer is pictured leaving The London Clinic this morning
Two police officers stand guard outside The London Clinic in Marylebone this morning
Police stand outside The London Clinic today where Kate Middleton has been treated
Royal aides at Kensington Palace said the Princess of Wales was ‘making good progress’
Charles visited Kate last Friday morning before his operation and has also been visited by his wife Queen Camilla four times at the hospital in in Marylebone.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is 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.
‘The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.’
Charles walked out of The London Clinic in Marylebone with Queen Camilla by his side today following three nights under observation.
The 75-year-old monarch was admitted last Friday morning at about 9am as he underwent a corrective procedure for the benign condition.
The road had been cleared but a large crowd of children and onlookers had gathered to watch as they got into a waiting car.
There was a strong presence of uniformed police officers who stood guard as the royal couple were driven away.
It has been reported Charles could take up to a month off from public duties as he recuperates.
The King was twice visited by Queen Camilla yesterday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived.
King Charles walks out of The London Clinic today following a three night stay in hospital after prostate surgery
The 75-year-old monarch left the hospital with Queen Camilla by his side
A beaming Charles waves as he is driven away. The King was twice visited by Queen Camilla yesterday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived
Prince William leaves the London Clinic in Marylebone after visiting his wife Kate on January 18
Prince William wants to spend time by his wife’s side as she convalesces. They are seen at Bisham Abbey on Mental Health Day in October
Buckingham Palace released a statement following the King’s release from hospital which read: ‘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.
‘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.’
The King arrived in London from Norfolk last Thursday, ready for the procedure after squeezing in a couple of behind-the-scenes official duties.
He was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.
King Charles III arrives at the London Clinic last Friday at about 9am for his treatment
Queen Camilla (centre) was also seen with Charles at the Marylebone Clinic
King Charles was driven to Clarence House on Thursday after arriving from Norfolk by helicopter
NHS England said the ‘enlarged prostate’ page on the NHS website received one visit every five seconds on the day the King’s diagnosis was announced, with further huge boosts in visits in the days that followed.
Camilla had previously said her husband is ‘fine’ and looking forward to getting back to work.
News of his diagnosis came on the same day that Kensington Palace announced the princess was in hospital on January 17.
King Charles and Kate (seen together at the Royal Albert Hall) have a warm relationship. In Kenya last year, he referred to her as his ‘beloved daughter-in-law’
Royal health troubles: The Duchess of York , 64, has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma – an aggressive form of skin cancer
Posting on Instagram, the duchess admitted the second diagnosis was a ‘shock’, but she was grateful for the many messages of love and support