London Clinic costs and treatment list revealed after Princess Kate surgery
The Princess of Wales remains in hospital after abdominal surgery, with sources saying she is "doing well" but will spend up to three months recovering.
Kate was admitted on Tuesday for the successful, planned procedure but is expected to stay in the private London Clinic for 10-14 days before returning to her Adelaide Cottage home in Windsor. William, the Prince of Wales, is to take time off, stepping back from all official duties for several weeks while he juggles looking after their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis with caring for his wife.
The clinic itself is a private hospital and registered charity in Marylebone, central London, established in 1932. It has previously been used for treatment by Prince Philip and Princess Margaret, as well as US President John F. Kennedy. It doesn't provide a public record of its charges for every operation - though does share estimated costs of some procedures.
The hospital specialises "in the care and treatment of complex medical conditions, such as cancer, women's health, urology, and orthopaedics (bones and joints)". Those admitted will first have discussions with a doctor, before undergoing and a clinical examination, after which several investigations, including blood tests and ultrasound imaging, maybe used.
As the UK's largest independent private hospital, it boasts the largest stem cell collection centre in Europe, and, in 2029, became the first private hospital in the UK to establish a robotic surgery cross-speciality group. According to its website, knee replacement surgery costs from £15,360, or from £16,910 with the consultant and anaesthetist fee included, whilst the hospital charges from £1,660 for a hysteroscopy.
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The clinic is a private hospital and registered charity in Marylebone (PA)The private clinic is a world away from an NHS hospital, with each room boasting air-conditioning and an en-suite bathroom with complimentary luxury products. Inside the room, Kate will be able to watch TV, listen to the radio, and make calls with the telephone. There is of course WiFi throughout the clinic, therefore Kate will be able to make video calls to her three children at home with ease.
The catering team takes into account each patient's dietary needs, and works closely with dietitians to offer the ideal menu to help with recovery. All the dishes are made with fresh produce and where possible, the team buys locally sourced ingredients, while their fish is sustainably sourced. They even have an award-winning head chef. Rooms are cleaned every day, with a fresh supply of towels. The hospital even has its own concierge service.
Police officers stand guard outside the London Clinic (AFP via Getty Images)Once she's feeling better, Kate will also be able to pick up refreshments at The Duchess of Devonshire wing café for a change of scene, which provides a calming setting away from the bustle of the rest of the hospital. It serves sandwiches from the Soho Sandwich Company and a selection of tasty pastries from Paul Rhodes Artisan Bakery.
The clinic, thought to be the largest private hospital in England, prides itself on personalised care, as its website states: "Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us." It adds that it has "teams of experts supported by world-class medical resources" and they "invest in the latest technologies and are proud to be part of the community of world-class hospitals that makes London a globally renowned centre for medical care."
It was chosen to care for Kate this time, rather than King Edward VII's Hospital which is usually the go-to establishment for royal medical matters and where she was admitted in 2012. The nature of the princess's condition has not been revealed although Kensington Palace confirmed it was not cancerous.
Media gathered opposite the London Clinic (PA)It is serious enough, however, for heir to the throne William to be postponing official duties while his wife is in hospital and in the immediate aftermath while she recuperates, devoting his time to his family. The princess is not expected to return to public duties until after Easter based on current medical advice, Kensington Palace said.
William was looking after George, 10, Charlotte, 8, and five-year-old Louis on Wednesday evening. The royal youngsters were at school all day and are yet to visit their mother in hospital. Media descended on the London Clinic in Marylebone, with photographers, journalists and broadcasters awaiting news behind barriers on the opposite side of the road.
A spokesperson said the princess wanted to share news of her surgery to explain to those affected by the postponement of her engagements. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private," they added. "Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share."
William is set to also take time off royal duties as Kate recovers (PA)There will now be no international travel for the prince and princess in the coming months. Kate usually enjoys good health but was previously admitted to hospital while pregnant after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum - severe morning sickness.
Meanwhile, the King is preparing for a corrective procedure after being diagnosed with a benign enlarged prostate. Buckingham Palace, in an unprecedented double royal health scare, announced the news just an hour and a half after Kensington Palace revealed Kate's operation.
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The 75-year-old monarch, who acceded to the throne 16 months ago, will be admitted to hospital next week. He was said to be keen to go public with his condition to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked. Ian Eardley, consultant urological surgeon in Leeds and national clinical director for NHS England, said the King's openness would lead to a rise in those seeking help.
One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate including needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency and have difficulty emptying their bladder. The King is staying at Birkhall in Aberdeenshire with the Queen but the Palace has not confirmed whether he will be treated in London or Scotland. He is said to be in touch with the Waleses, with a source describing them as a "close family".
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