The Princes of Wales is likely to miss out on a number of winter and spring engagements after undergoing surgery – including the BAFTAs, St Patrick’s Day and the Commonwealth Service – as she is not expected to return to public events until Easter.

Kate Middleton, 42, is being treated in hospital after a successful abdominal operation, Kensington Palace revealed today.

The royal was admitted to The London Clinic in Marylebone yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for ten to 14 days.

The future Queen will then return home to Windsor in Berkshire to continue her recovery with the support of her family. It is understood not to be cancerous.

The Princess is likely to be advised to recuperate for two to three months, and her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time.

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The Princes of Wales is likely to miss out on a number of winter and spring engagements after undergoing surgery today – including St Patrick’s Day. Pictured at the St Patrick’s Day Parade last year

There are a number of events which are usually on Kate ‘s calendar this time of the year, which she will in light of recent news, seemingly not be present for in the coming weeks.

In February 2023, the royal – who is patron of Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Football League (RFL) – appeared in high spirits as she attended a Six Nations rugby match with her husband Prince William.

And next month, France and Ireland will kick off this year’s Six Nations Championship on February 2, for a game at the Orange Vélodrome in Marseille.

That weekend will also see games from England versus Italy in Rome and Wales versus Scotland in Cardiff – which the Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to attend.

Last year Kate also made a glamorous appearance at the BAFTAs – where she chatted with Austin Butler following his win for his role in Elvis.

She looked every inch the Hollywood star as she joined William at the gltizy event at Royal Festival Hall in London.

The royal mother-of-three opted for an Alexander McQueen one shoulder gown for the occasion, which she first wore to the event in 2019.

Kate’s white one-shouldered gown has undergone some minor alterations, with the floral detailing on the shoulder swapped for a sweeping train of material.

WHAT ENGAGEMENTS WILL KATE LIKELY MISS OUT ON?

FEBRUARY 

February 2 (and onwards) – Six Nations Championship

February 13 – Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) 

February 18 – BAFTA Film Awards

MARCH

March 1 – St David’s Day 

March 11 – Commonwealth Day Service 

March 17 – St Patrick’s Day 

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Kate Middleton, 42 and her husband pictured attending the 2023 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey

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Last year Kate also made a glamorous appearance at the BAFTAs – where she chatted with Austin Butler following his win for his role in Elvis

The event had marked the first time the couple, who have made it their tradition to come to the biggest night in UK cinema each year, had attended in three years.

William has been the president of Bafta since 2010 and Kate first attended the event with her husband in 2017.

And we’re unlike to see any Pancake Day antics from the Princess this year either – unless she perhaps filmed anything for a segment in advance.

In 2023, Kate was left in hysterics as she attempted to flip a pancake during a visit to a care home on Shrove Tuesday.

She was all smiles as she arrived at Oxford House Nursing Home in Slough, sporting a floral face mask once inside.

WHAT ENGAGEMENTS WILL WILLIAM LIKELY MISS OUT ON?

FEBRUARY 

February 2 (and onwards) – Six Nations Championship

February 13 – Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) 

February 18 – BAFTA Film Awards

Investitures throughout February 

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In February last year, the royal – who is patron of Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Football League (RFL) – appeared in high spirits as she attended a Six Nations rugby match with her husband Prince William

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In 2023, Kate was left in hysterics as she attempted to flip a pancake during a visit to a care home on Shrove Tuesday

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Kate tried her best to flip the pancake – but was left in hysterics as she struggled with the hot plate

Kate also met with staff and residents and heard how delivering high-quality, patient-focused care is at the centre of the home’s work.

However she was left in fits of giggles as she tried to use a hot plate at the care home to cook pancakes – with little success.

Staff, led by head chef Anna Wright, had already been serving up plates of pancakes laden with whipped cream and fruit.

Taking her place behind the table, Kate took up a pan and said: ‘OK, so am I just pouring it straight in here? How much? Very thin? Ok. Is that good? I am really nervous. So are pancakes popular? Does everyone know pancakes are on the menu today? And what sort of toppings have you got? So it’s always a thumbs up day!’

She started pushing at the mixture – which didn’t appear to be cooking very quickly – with her metal flipper, which didn’t seem to have much effect.

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Last year Kate accompanied her husband, who was making his first visit to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at Combermere Barracks in Windsor as their newly appointed Colonel of the Regiment

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It is also understood that the Princess is unlikely to attend any engagements for St David’s Day in March. Pictured at the event in 2023

‘This is where I go wrong, I always try to turn them too quickly,’ she said.

Anne re-assured her: ‘They can stick. There’s no pressure.’

The pressure was clearly getting to the princess as she laughed: ‘I wish there as some music playing or something! I am trying. That is not working! This is not going anywhere. I am going to have to ease it off. Ok, it’s getting there. I wish I could watch everyone else doing this. ‘

Kate tried shaking the pan but the pancake clearly wasn’t budging. ‘Maybe my children won’t want me to make pancakes with them when they come home from school now,’ she giggled.

It is also understood that the Princess is unlikely to attend any engagements for St David’s Day in March.

Last year Kate accompanied her husband, who was making his first visit to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at Combermere Barracks in Windsor as their newly appointed Colonel of the Regiment.

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Also usually on the calendar for March is the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. Pictured, the service last year

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Last year Kate looked elegant as ever for the engagement in a £3,000 Erdem outfit and a diamond Prince of Wales Feathers brooch – a sweet gift from the King

Events King Charles could miss while being treated for an enlarged prostate

18-19th January:  Meetings and events at Dumfries House with foreign dignitaries and Cabinet members

25th January: Burns Night

27th January: Holocaust Memorial Day

It was a position King Charles had held since 1975, with his son and heir taking over in December 2022.

The Prince and Princess went on to meet many of the families of the Welsh Guardsmen, as well as men and women from the Australian Army who are based in the UK to help train Ukrainian soldiers.

Kate was presented with a bouquet of flowers from Royal fan seven-year-old Elsi-Haf Cunningham, who was wearing traditional Welsh dress while her father took part in the parade.

Her mother, Krystal Cunningham, said her daughter will remember the moment for the rest of her life.

‘It was a very proud moment, she absolutely loves the Royal family but has only ever seen Kate on TV,’ she said, adding: ‘It was a big moment for her.’

Also usually on the calendar for March is the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.

Last year Kate looked elegant as ever for the engagement in a £3,000 Erdem outfit and a diamond Prince of Wales Feathers brooch – a sweet gift from the King. The mother-of-three chose a glittering pair of two-tiered flower-shaped earrings, which were previously owned by Princess Diana.

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Another important date for the Princess in March is the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Last year, she and the Prince of Wales were guests of honour at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, where William officially stepped down from the honorary regimental position in favour of Kate

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After delivering a speech to the Irish Guards, the mother-of-three took time to meet with families and young royal fans attending the event

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Kate (pictured in October) is being treated in hospital after undergoing a successful abdominal operation, Kensington Palace revealed today

At the service, the King paid tribute to his ‘remarkable’ mother as he delivered his Commonwealth Day message for the first time.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – Edward and Sophie – and Princess Anne were also in attendance, as well as Spice Girl Geri Horner, who is an ambassador for King Charles’ charity The Prince’s Trust and is a regular at the event.

Another important date for the Princess in March is the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Last year, she and the Prince of Wales were guests of honour at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, where William officially stepped down from the honorary regimental position in favour of Kate.

After delivering a speech to the Irish Guards, the mother-of-three took time to meet with families and young royal fans attending the event.

Kate looked radiant in a bespoke turquoise coat by Catherine Walker which matched the colour of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards’ blue plume.

During her emotive speech, the Princess said: ‘I really couldn’t be prouder to stand in front of you here today. It really is a true honour to be your Colonel.

‘I am here to listen to you, to support you, and to champion you in all you do – this is a responsibility I do not take lightly.’

Meanwhile William said that being Colonel of the Irish Guards has been one of the ‘great honours of my life’.

As part of the parade, Kate handed out sprigs of shamrocks to officers and guardsmen, which were then distributed among the ranks – and, of course, the Irish Wolfhound mascot for the regiment, Seamus, received one too.

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Last month, The Mail revealed that talks were under way at the highest level about William and Kate’s first trip to Italy and a date had been ‘pencilled in’. William and Kate pictured with their children during Christmas

Elsewhere, William and Kate were set to be making a high-profile visit to Rome in the spring as part of a European charm offensive.

However, after news of the Princess’s surgery, could her first working trip abroad in over a year be cancelled?

Last month, The Mail revealed that talks were under way at the highest level about William and Kate’s first trip to Italy and a date had been ‘pencilled in’.

It is not yet clear whether the short visit was set to include a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

While Kensington Palace has not officially announced the trip, the charm offensive was set to mark the couple’s inaugural trip on behalf of the Government as the new Princess and Princess of Wales.

This is because, although they travelled to Boston in the US this time last year, the trip was for Prince William‘s Earthshot Prize, which is a personal initiative.

It was understood at the time that negotiations around the couple meeting with Pope Francis were still ‘very much on the table’ and ‘nothing has been decided yet’.

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Kate was not rushed for hospital and her condition was not something that developed over the weekend, according to reports. Pictured last month

King Charles and Queen Camilla have visited Rome twice in recent years and on both visits they made a point of going to meet the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 and Pope Francis in 2017.

But 87-year-old Pope Francis is in worse health, and cancelled a trip to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai at the last minute.

A source said a possible meeting had yet to be discussed at embassy level. Kensington Palace would not comment on the Rome trip directly but a spokesman said: ‘We look forward to announcing the Prince and Princess’ travel plans in due course.’

Separately today, Buckingham Palace said King Charles III will attend hospital next week to be treated with a ‘corrective procedure’ for an enlarged prostate.

The two health updates on senior royals came within 90 minutes of each other, with Kensington Palace coming first at 2pm then Buckingham Palace followed at 3.30pm.

She was not rushed for hospital and her condition was not something that developed over the weekend, according to reports.

The Prince will also postpone a number of engagements as he supports his family, and will not undertake official duties while his wife is in hospital.

He will also do no official duties during the immediate period after Kate’s return home. Royal aides will provide a revised schedule for William in due course.

Kate is close to her family, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and sibling Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are set to rally round and help support her recovery at the Waleses’ home in Windsor.