News ofKate MiddletonandKing Charles' surgeries this month came differently than royal announcements in the past.
On Jan. 17, the palace revealed that the Princess of Wales, 42, had undergone anabdominal surgerythe previous day while the King, 75, wasseeking treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Royal author Robert Hardman tells PEOPLE exclusively, “In both the Princess and the King’s cases, this shows a handling of very personal, very delicate matters that you wouldn’t have seen in the past. It would have been a much more guardedresponse. It shows they are adapting to the times.”
“Yes, the public has a right to know some things, but not everything,” he adds.
While Princess Kate’sdiagnosis was kept private(it is known to be noncancerous), Kensington Palace outlined her projected recovery timeline and how Prince William would also take time away from royal duty to help his family during this time.
“Kate putting out her statement was frank,” Hardman says. “They could have hedged it, that they will update us with further details, but no. They said she won’t be back until Easter.”
King Charles and Kate Middleton in 2021.CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty
King Charles, however, disclosed his diagnosis in hopes that it would inspire men to get checked. His decision proved to make an impact: after his announcement, there was a 1,000% increase in searches about prostate enlargement on the U.K.’s National Health Servicewebsite.
Moreover, King Charles' health is of great public interest due to his status as monarch.
“It was sensible to be more open about it, as otherwise, people might have thought the worst,” a palace insidertells PEOPLE.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton in July 2023.Jane Barlow - Pool/Getty Images
Jane Barlow - Pool/Getty Images
In the past, palace statements about the health of royal family members often remained vague or weren’t released until after treatment was completed. WhenQueen Elizabethhadcataract surgeryin 2018, the news wasn’t revealed until a month later (explaining why she had been sporting sunglasses at recent events).
Both Princess Kate and King Charles were released from the hospital on Monday tocontinue their recovery at home.
“The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress," Kensington Palace said in a statement released on Monday. “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," the statement read.
King Charles leaves the hospital following treatment for an enlarged prostate on Jan. 29, 2024.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
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While Princess Kate left the hospital privately, King Charles wasphotographed making his exitalongside Queen Camilla.
“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,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “He 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.”
source: people.com
