This week, Kate Middleton and the Royal Family mark a rather somber anniversary. It has been two months since the last time Middleton was seen out in public.
The Palace has confirmed that Prince William‘s wife will be out of commission until late April after undergoing what is described as planned abdominal surgery.
Prince William has decided to keep the health matter private, almost secretive. Not many details have been shared about Middleton’s condition.
And unlike King Charles III, who underwent prostate surgery and was pictured going to the hospital with Queen Camilla, there have been no photos of Middleton since late December.
Middleton is said to have briefly recuperated at Adelaide Cottage before taking a trip to Sandringham with her family. While on the mend, Kate Middleton and Prince William have received some unwanted blessings or news about them becoming King and Queen sooner than they had hoped for.
A royal insider told In Touch that King Charles knows that Prince William and his wife are ready for the job as he considers stepping back to focus on what truly matters — his health.
The insider stated: “Charles is definitely impressed by how easily William has filled his shoes. Charles can’t help but consider stepping down instead, for the sake of the monarchy. William and Kate will be crowned King and Queen much sooner than anyone expected.”
It is claimed that the heir to the throne is already picking up the slack, meaning he is more or less in control of the monarchy.
Royal historian Ed Owens shared the following details: “He’s taken more control at the Palace, staying in constant contact with Charles’s aides. He’s basically the Firm’s point man right now. He has tended toward less of the day-to-day routine work of the monarchy, compared to his father, instead focusing on bigger, glitzier engagements. But now he’ll be expected to fill in on many of these more mundane public outings.”
While Kate Middleton is already putting the monarchy and her duties first, she cannot help but feel like this is some bittersweet news because of her health crisis and because she did not expect this to happen so soon.
The insider stated: “She’s still recovering and isn’t expected to be fully back in action until April. The timing isn’t ideal, but she’s ready to step up. They’ve both been preparing for this for years.”
Palace officials are said to be secretly working hard to ensure the transfer of power is done smoothly and cost-effectively.
The source shared: “Considering the circumstances, they won’t have an elaborate coronation—William thinks his father was over-the-top anyway. The source says of the celebration for Charles’ ascension last May, which cost an estimated $125 million. William and Kate don’t want all the traditional pomp and circumstances that make them seem out of touch, so it would be scaled down significantly. They’ll likely do the religious ceremony and a small reception, hopefully for less than $15 million.”
It will be a painful event for King Charles, who waited his whole life to take the throne and might not even sit 24 months on it. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla is actually “relishing the chance to have a relaxing retirement.”
The source concluded by: “The idea that he won’t get to make his mark as king is a hard pill to swallow. She’s urged him to let it go and enjoy their golden years. It also helps that Charles has a lot of confidence in William and Kate, and in the end, he’s doing what’s best for the monarchy. So he can feel proud, knowing he’s done his job well.”
Middleton has made her health her top priority.
