The royals rally for Catherine and Charles
William is at his wife’s bedside as the Princess of Wales recuperates and the King prepares for surgery
It’s been a week of health crises as we were hit with the news the Princess of Wales is in hospital recovering from “planned abdominal surgery”. Kensington Palace put out a statement on Wednesday explaining Catherine is in The London Clinic.
“The surgery was successful and it is expected she will remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days,” the palace said, “before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. 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,” the statement said.
It was swiftly followed by a second press release, from Buckingham Palace, revealing the King was also seeking medical treatment, for an enlarged prostate. “In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate. His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
Understandably, the nation was quick to respond with concern for the two royals, especially considering the length of stay and recovery time for the Princess. The Palace did confirm it was not cancerous, but further speculation on her condition seems inappropriate. We wish her well.
Prince William has cleared his work schedule to support his wife and children and was photographed visiting her in hospital on Thursday morning, looking pensive as he drove away.
Meanwhile, Camilla told well-wishers the King was “fine, thank you very much,” at an engagement on Thursday. “Looking forward to getting back to work.” Palace aides confirmed it would be a “few weeks” of recovery time, although added the King would be keen to get back to normal as soon as possible.
It’s certainly not the start to 2024 the King had hoped for, with three of the most senior royals out of action. But The Royal List hopes they will all be restored to health, very soon.
Charles saves lives
There are not many men who put out a press release when they discover they have an enlarged prostate. But that’s just what the King did this week – and his actions will save lives. Kerry wrote about Charles’ remarkable honesty for The Sunday Telegraph, explaining his decision to be so transparent will have far-reaching consequences.
While we’re sure Charles initially must have had reservations about proclaiming his prostate problems to the world, by doing so, he has both taken some of the attention off his daughter-in-law, but more importantly, raised awareness for prostate health.
Despite being an incredibly common condition, it’s one men don’t discuss in detail, often. Around 80 per cent of men have an enlarged prostate over the age of 70 and The Telegraph reported prostate searches on the NHS website went up 11-fold as the news broke. The King’s transparency about his condition will undoubtedly lead to more men seeking help, urological surgeon Ian Eardley said, telling PA, prostate problems traditionally had a “perception of being something you don’t want to talk about.”
So, it’s all the more admirable that Charles, 75, has been so open about his health, particularly with a condition many men fail to even acknowledge in themselves, let alone visit the doctor about.
Charles – who earlier this week launched his official portrait by photographer Hugo Burnand - and Catherine have demonstrated the old adage that wealth is, of course, nothing without health. So, if you’re having trouble on the throne, get yourself checked, now.
Lilibet name row rolls on
The royals’ surprise medical news overshadowed fresh controversy surrounding Princess Lilibet’s name. How the late Queen really felt regarding her pet name being reassigned to her great-granddaughter has been hotly debated for a couple of years.
According to biographer and historian, Robert Hardman, in his new book, King Charles III: New King, New Court, an anonymous royal household source told him: “Elizabeth II had been ‘as angry as I’ve ever seen her’ in 2021 after the Sussexes announced that she had given them her blessing to call their baby daughter Lilibet.” An upset Queen also reportedly told an aide: “I don’t own the palaces, I don’t own the paintings, the only thing I own is my name. And now they’ve taken that.”
To be fair, Harry and Meghan also announced their now two-year-old would be known as ‘Lili’. Seems it would have saved everyone’s feelings to perhaps have gone with this shorter and just-as-sweet-sounding name in the first place.
Camilla’s comedy nickname
There was news of another royal moniker thanks to Robert Hardman’s must-read bestseller.
After Camilla married Charles in 2005, the-then Duchess of Cornwall’s close family and friends called her ‘Lorraine’, a play on ‘la reine’, French for ‘queen’. The renowned royal journalist says Camilla thought it amusing, but Charles less so.
“Back in the days when it seemed there was no question of the Duchess becoming Queen, her family gave her the nickname ‘Lorraine’ (as in the French la reine),” Robert writes. “‘She always saw the funny side of that - even if Prince Charles did not’, says a friend.”
This week in royal history
On January 22, 1901, Queen Victoria asked for her favourite Pomeranian, Turi, to be placed on her bed, before eventually passing away at 6.30pm that evening. She died aged 81 at Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight, her “little paradise” as she called her family’s holiday home. Throughout this month the amazing estate, bought by Victoria and Albert in 1845, is open every weekend. Buy tickets here.