Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
King Charles popped in to visit his daughter-in-law Princess Kate this morning, shortly after arriving at the hospital where he is due to undergo planned prostate surgery.
The King arrived at The London Clinic before 9am, the same private London hospital where Kate underwent successful abdominal surgery last Tuesday. She is currently spending her 11th day recovering at the hospital, where she is due to stay for up to two weeks.
His Majesty arrived accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla, an unusual move for the Royal Family as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip always entered hospital alone.
On January 17 the King and the Princess of Wales both made major announcements about their health within 90 minutes of each other.
Kensington Palace confirmed Kate had undergone successful surgery on her abdomen, but remained tight-lipped about the nature of her condition other than to say it was non-cancerous.
They added that she could spend up to two weeks in hospital recovering before returning home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to recuperate further.
It is not expected that Kate will return to royal duties until after Easter, with Prince William also taking a step back to look after their three children.
Charles meanwhile has been very open about the nature of his condition, with a Buckingham Palace statement reading: “In common with thousands of men each year, the King 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 King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
Some have seen this as a mark of a modern monarch who wants to raise awareness of the condition and encourage others to get their symptoms checked.
Others have claimed the King is hoping to distract from Kate’s treatment as she privately recovers with the support of William and her family.
While Charles, Kate and William are out of action, Queen Camilla has been rising to the occasion, attending solo engagements in Swindon and London this week while the King was resting at Sandringham.