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The Princess of Wales has started a two-month road to recovery after undergoing "planned abdominal surgery," meaning she will be absent from some of the year's biggest royal events.
Kate Middleton was discharged from the London Clinic on Monday after 13 nights of medical supervision following her surgery. Kensington Palace said that she has been making "good progress."
The reason for the princess's operation has not been revealed, although it has been reported that her condition was noncancerous. The palace said Kate will not return to her duties as a working royal until after Easter.
This means royal fans won't see her present at a number of key events in the first months of the year, traditionally one of the royal family's busiest periods.
Kate was not alone while being treated at the London Clinic. During her final four days at the hospital, she was joined by King Charles, who underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate. He too will be out of action over the coming days while he recuperates.
In addition, Prince William halted his official engagements while Kate was in the hospital. It is understood that when the princess's care is settled at their home on the grounds of Windsor Castle, he will undertake limited appearances.
For a time, three of the most senior working royals in the monarchy will be working on a reduced (Charles and William) and completely paused (in Kate's case) basis. This leaves Queen Camilla as the most senior royal to pick up the slack.
This, according to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, may not prove to be as detrimental to the monarchy as some might assume, and Kate's popularity is expected to inspire a degree of public understanding.
"The fact that three of the four most senior royals will be out of action for some time owing to illness is serious," he told Newsweek.
"This also means problems for the planners," he continued. "Since we know Catherine will be out of action until Easter, she will not be expected at events such as the [British Academy Film Awards, or BAFTAs], St. David's Day and the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, but there will be much speculation as to which William is able to attend.
"It is not an issue for the monarchy," he said. "People will appreciate that the emphasis is on as speedy a recovery as possible for Catherine and for King Charles. What has happened is unprecedented, and people will be supportive. "
Newsweek looks at the major events that Kate is expected to miss during her recovery.
The BAFTAs
In Kate's royal diary, there is one major celebrity red carpet event featured each year, and that's the annual BAFTA Film Awards ceremony held in London.
Kate attends the awards with Prince William, who is the British Academy of Film and Television Arts president. The show provides a rare opportunity for Kate to be photographed alongside A-list stars, including the evening's winners, and has become a favorite event for royal fashion watchers.
St. David's Day
In 2023, Kate attended her first St. David's Day parade of the Welsh Guards regiment of the British Army. As the Princess of Wales and wife of the regiment's colonel, she is normally expected to appear at the annual event.
This military parade marks Wales' national day. William was made colonel of the regiment by his father after he gave his son the Prince of Wales title.
During the event, members of the battalion on parade receive leeks, which are ceremonially pinned to their uniforms. In 2023, Kate debuted a new diamond leek brooch, which had belonged to Princess Diana, to mark the event.
Commonwealth Day
Commonwealth Day is an important international day of celebration that marks the coming together of the 56 countries that make up the organization.
In London, the day is marked with a church service at Westminster Abbey, attended by the monarch, previously Queen Elizabeth but now Charles, who is the Commonwealth's head.
Along with the king, other senior members of the royal family attend the event, and Kate has done so over a number of years. Again, it has become an engagement highly anticipated by royal fashion watchers who want to see the princess' stylish appearance.
St. Patrick's Day
In 2022, Charles made Kate the new colonel of the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army after he moved their previous colonel, William, over to the Welsh Guards.
Kate has formed an association with the Irish Guards over the years. In 2023, she made her annual appearance at the St. Patrick's Day parade to pin shamrocks to the soldiers' tunics.
In honor of the occasion, Kate has usually worn a green outfit or one that in some way ties in with the uniform of the regiment.
Royal Easter Sunday
It is not known exactly when Kate will return to making public appearances. Kensington Palace said in a January 17 statement announcing her "planned abdominal surgery" that "based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."
This would mean the princess will miss the Easter Sunday church service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, which is regularly attended by senior members of the royal family.
The event traditionally marks the first event of the year when the public sees the Wales' three children: Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis 5.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more