Royal Family
King Charles and Kate Middleton announced their respective surgeries just hours apart — yet the Princess of Wales chose to keep the details of her procedure under wraps while the King has been an open book.
While Middleton’s “planned” abdominal procedure wasn’t revealed until it had already taken place, the head of the British monarchy felt the need to give people a warning so they wouldn’t jump to conclusions about his hospitalization.
“It was sensible to be more open about it, as otherwise, people might have thought the worst,” a palace insider told People Thursday.
Buckingham Palace announced on Jan. 17 — a day after Middleton’s “successful” surgery — that His Royal Highness, 75, had “sought treatment for an enlarged prostate” and would be getting surgery the following week.
They assured royal fans that “His Majesty’s condition is benign” and that he is just going in “for a corrective procedure.”
The palace also noted that an enlarged prostate is “common with thousands of men each year,” which was another one of the reasons Charles decided to speak out.
The monarch reportedly wanted to inspire other men to consult their doctors about any looming medical issues — and his plan seemingly worked.
According to the U.K.’s National Health Service, Charles’ announcement last week resulted in a 1061 percent increase in searches about prostate enlargement on their website.
According to medical experts, an enlarged prostate – or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – affects around 80 percent of men over the age of 70.
While it’s unclear exactly when Charles’ surgery is scheduled, he temporarily postponed several of his upcoming public engagements.
Like Charles, Middleton will also be taking a step back from the public eye as she recovers.
Royals fans also want to know:
The mother of three, 42, was required to stay in the hospital for “ten to fourteen days” following the procedure, meaning she should be released in the coming days.
However, Middleton is also expected to need three months of recovery time at home and “is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
Although the former Duchess of Cambridge asked that her medical information remain “private,” her long recovery time has raised concerns as the palace has yet to disclose the nature of her condition.
While Page Six was told that the undisclosed issue is noncancerous, the surgery was also described as “major.”
It was also reported that those closest to the Princess of Wales had no idea that she was dealing with any sort of medical issues before it was announced to the world.
According to People, “there had been no indication that anything was wrong” with Middleton, who appeared at several royal events over the holidays.
Sources told the outlet that the “carefully guarded” news “came as a surprise” to her loved ones and those who “work closely” with her.
The announcement came as such a shock that even her estranged brother-in-law, Prince Harry, and sister-in-law Meghan Markle reportedly reached out.
A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the Mirror earlier this week that “the King and the Princess of Wales have received support from Prince Harry and Meghan regarding their health.”
They also noted that the couple have “contacted both parties in different ways to pass on their concern and best wishes.”
Despite the looming questions, Middleton encouraged people to “maintain as much normality for her children as possible.”
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Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
