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The Princess of Wales Kate Middleton has received tons of well wishes from fans and loved ones since undergoing her planned abdominal surgery. However, she might have subconsciously burned a few bridges along the way, especially regarding her close circle. On January 17, Kensington Palace released a public statement confirming Kate’s health issues. Although the statement kept the exact details of the royal’s condition and the nature of the surgery, they confirmed it was non-cancerous.
Who Knew About Kate Middleton’s “Planned Surgery?” And Who Didn’t
A royal insider confirmed that along with the public, the Princess’ circle of family friends were also in the dark about her health condition. Additionally, those who worked closely with the royal family were unaware of Kate Middleton’s planned abdominal surgery. They only discovered her health woes following the public announcement from Kensington Palace revealing her hospitalization at the London Clinic. Hence, the news shocked them, much like the rest of the world.
While Kate Middleton’s health issues leading to her abdominal surgery remain a mystery to many, her close family are among the handful with knowledge of her condition. Ahead of the planned surgery, the Prince of Wales, William made some adjustments to his schedule, clearing his calendar to make time for his family as the Princess focused on her health.
Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, as well as siblings Pipa and James who live only a short ride away also invested in her health journey. A source confirmed to People that Kate’s parents would play key roles in her recovery journey. Upon her return from the hospital, her parents would turn up in support of the royal, lighting the load on the hands-on Prince William. A Palace insider revealed,
“Her parents are an enduring factor in the upbringing of their grandchildren. And they will be a reassuring presence when she goes back to Windsor to recuperate.”
Why Kate Kept Her Health Crisis a Secret
Prior to the shocking announcement of Kate Middleton’s planned abdominal surgery, the Princess of Wales made several public appearances. However, she showed no sign of an ailing condition during these public engagements. Hence, no one, not even her closest circle or colleagues suspected a thing. The continued silence on the nature of the abdominal surgery has stirred wild speculations, leaving many digging desperately to uncover the mystery.
Various experts have offered their analysis on why the royal family chose not to disclose the details of Kate Middleton’s “planned” surgery. While the report from Kensington Palace implied they withheld the information due to the Princess’ medical privacy, royal experts believe it involves much more. The King: The Life of Charles III author Christopher Anderson suggested the decision had more to do with the wellbeing of her three young children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. He divulged,
“Kate is a very private person to start with, but she certainly is most concerned with how this will all affect her young children. She obviously doesn’t want to concern or frighten them. When you’re the age of George, Charlotte, or Louis, of course, it’s a scary thing to see a parent go into the hospital.”
While keeping her kids from worrying about her health might not be the only reason behind the decision, Christopher believes it is one of the principal reasons Kate Middleton has strived to downplay her surgery. Nonetheless, the surgery succeeded, and the royal is recovering at the London Clinic. After 10-14 days of hospitalization, she would spend months recuperating at home, resuming public duties sometime after Easter.