18 January 2024 , 13:04
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Queen Camilla has insisted King Charles is fine and showed it's business as usual as she carried out an official engagement after the royals were hit by a double health scare.
The Princess of Wales is continuing to recover in hospital today after undergoing abdominal surgery and is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days. She is set to be away from official duties for up to three months to give her time to recover. Just over an hour after Kensington Palace made the statement about the princess yesterday it was then revealed King Charles will be receiving hospital treatment next week for an enlarged prostate - and will have a "a short period of recuperation".
Queen Camilla during a visit to Aberdeen Art Gallery today (PA)Camilla, who will no doubt be supporting Charles through his procedure, visited Aberdeen Art Gallery, where she opened its new safe space. While there, she asked about the King by the Lord Provost. Camilla replied: "He's fine, thank you very much. Looking forward to getting back to work." Camilla was on a solo visit to the gallery to unveil the space, an initiative to provide help and guidance to people if they suspect someone is living with domestic abuse. She appeared cheery, adopting the keep calm and carry on approach often associated with the late Queen.
Today, many of the other dwindling number of working royals were due to be out and about on official visits as they carry on as usual. The King's sister Princess Anne, who is often dubbed his "trusted lieutenant" is to carry out two engagements in Lanarkshire, where she will visit Citizens Advice Scotland as well as Advanced Clothing Solutions in her role as president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward will be in West Bromwich to visit the Shireland City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Academy, while his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, will visit community projects in Surrey.
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The outings come as the nature of Kate's condition has not been revealed although Kensington Palace confirmed it was not cancerous. It is serious enough, however, for Prince William to be stepping temporarily back from official duties while his wife is in hospital and in the immediate aftermath while she recuperates. A source said of the Princess: "She's doing well."
William was understood to be looking after their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on Wednesday evening. The royal youngsters were at school all day and are yet to visit their mother in hospital. The heir to the throne will juggle being at Kate’s side with caring for their children and he has postponed a number of engagements.
Earlier today, William visited the hospital where the Princess of Wales is recuperating from abdominal surgery. He was seen leaving the private London Clinic at around 12.35pm on Thursday. William drove himself away from the hospital in an Audi e-Tron GT Carbon Vorsprung, followed by a Land Rover Discovery, and left by the back entrance during the low-key, private visit.
Prince William leaves the London clinic after visiting Kate in hospital (AFP via Getty Images)The King, who was up in Scotland when he received his diagnosis, is said to have supported William and Kate, with a source adding: "They're a close family so they’re in close touch". Buckingham Palace announced just an hour and a half after Kensington Palace’s shock news that Charles, 75, will be treated in hospital next week.
The Palace said Charles' condition was benign and he would be having a corrective procedure. His engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation. It is understood Charles was keen to share the details of his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with public health advice.