Catherine, Princess of Wales, has planned abdominal surgery

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The Princess of Wales will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days

By Andre Rhoden-Paul & Sean Coughlan, royal correspondent

BBC News

The Princess of Wales has had planned abdominal surgery at a private hospital in London, Kensington Palace has said.

The operation on Tuesday was successful and Catherine will remain in hospital for ten to 14 days, the palace said.

The palace said the princess, 42, wishes to apologise for postponing upcoming engagements.

“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” a statement said.

The palace did not confirm further details of Catherine’s treatment but said her condition does not involve cancer.

But her condition is significant enough to keep her in hospital for up to two weeks and it is expected that recuperation will take two to three months.

It is clear from the length of time Catherine is expected to stay in hospital and the tone of the statement issued by the palace that her medical condition is serious.

Many minor conditions can be treated and the patient sent home shortly after.

The princess had a full diary in December and there was no indication that she was unwell during public appearances.

Her husband the Prince of Wales will also be postponing some of his engagements and William will not be carrying out any official duties while the princess is in hospital.

Once discharged, she is expected to recover at home in Windsor, where the Waleses and their children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, now reside.

In the statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, Kensington Palace said: “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.”

The palace added that the princess is aware of the interest her surgery will generate and hopes the public “will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible”.

Kensington Palace indicated it would only provide updates when there is significant new information to share.

The London Clinic, near Regent’s Park in central London, describes itself as the UK’s largest independent private hospital.