Kate Middleton and King Charles’ health declarations were made within hours of each other, yet they exhibited notable distinctions.
Within two hours of Kensington Palace revealing Princess Kate’s “planned abdominal surgery” on Jan. 17, Buckingham Palace declared that the King would undergo surgery for an enlarged prostate. He shared this news to encourage men to consult their doctors. The corrective procedure for this benign condition is slated for this week, causing a temporary delay in his public engagements.
Kate’s health update surfaced post-surgery, while Charles’ announcement preceded his planned procedure.
“It was sensible to be more open about it, as otherwise, people might have thought the worst,” a palace insider tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s issue.
As a monarch, Charles’ health status is crucial. His decision to emphasize his diagnosis already had an impact: His announcement last week led to a 1,000% surge in searches about prostate enlargement on the U.K.’s National Health Service website.
King Charles embraced transparency regarding his diagnosis, while Princess Kate, 42, opted for discretion, aiming to maintain normalcy for her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, according to her office.
Though Princess Kate’s abdominal surgery was successful, a royal source states she is “doing well.” Her 10 to 14-day hospital stay and expected three-month recovery at home have raised concerns. The palace hasn’t disclosed her condition’s nature but affirmed it is noncancerous.
“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 palace’s statement conveyed.
Those close to the Prince and Princess of Wales emphasize that family life is their priority. Public engagements and trips are scheduled around their three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — aligning with their school vacations. The current situation is no different.
Prince William, 41, has cleared his schedule to be with Princess Kate, offering support to their family (he was photographed leaving the hospital after a visit on Jan. 18). He is not anticipated to resume public duties until several days after her return home. During her recovery, he will care for the children alongside longtime nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo and assist with school pickups and drop-offs.
“We know they are a very tight family unit, and he wants to be there for them,” says Hardman, author of The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy. “So much of what they do with those kids is about normalizing life and not making them feel like they are in a special gilded cage.”
