The news of Kate's surgery at the private London Clinic on January 16, with a recovery period of "10 to 14 days" in the hospital before continuing at home, was unexpected for even those who closely interact with the royal family, according to an insider cited by People Magazine.
Kate's last public appearance during Christmas, where she walked alongside Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to the service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, showed no indication of any medical condition.
The Waleses spent Christmas enjoying family time with royal relatives and outings in the Norfolk countryside, as shared by the insider. They continued their New Year's celebrations with Kate's family and resumed daily life at Windsor's Adelaide Cottage.
While Prince William resumed public duties on January 11, Kate, as a mother of three, is expected to refrain from public duties until after Easter, as per Kensington Palace.
The carefully guarded nature of Kate's health condition underscores the private aspects of royal life, despite the public scrutiny surrounding the family's activities and well-being.
