Kate Middleton is ‘functioning well but not 100% yet’, as key moment with George, Louis & Charlotte ‘boosts her spirits’
KATE Middleton is said to be “functioning well but not 100% yet” as she recovers from her abdominal surgery in January, according to an expert.
The Princess of Wales was seen driving with mum Carole Middleton earlier this week, and a royal author claims that George, Louis and Charlotte are “boosting her spirits.”
Royal fans went into overdrive last week as Prince William pulled out of a service last-minute due to 'personal matter', leading to the palace issuing a statement to dismiss “wild conspiracy theories”.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant.”
Royal author Rob Jobson told Hello!: “From what I hear, Kate has got into a routine again and is functioning well, but she doesn’t want to rush things.
“I have spoken to people close to her and I think she is recovering well but is not quite one hundred per cent.”
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He claimed that King Charles is keen to make the focus of the royal family on him, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, and having “two of the star people out of the picture makes that more difficult.”
Rob said that Kate will be warmly welcomed back when she is well enough to return to duties, but currently feels “lucky” to be able to spend time with her family and focus on her recovery.
Meanwhile, Hello!’s royal editor Emily Nash added that Kate’s kids, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, will be helping her through this time.
She also pointed out that it’s the first time Kate has been able to be a full-time mother, without having to juggle royal duties and parenting.
And with Mother’s Day and the Easter holidays around the corner, there are plenty of precious family moments coming up.
She wrote: “Kate may not have been on the school run or at sport matches, but she has been able to spend plenty of time with her children at home over the past few weeks and they will have been such a tonic for her.
“Her family are absolutely at the centre of her world, so being able to have George, Charlotte and Louis at home with her has no doubt really boosted her spirits.”
The Princess of Wales, 42, has not done royal duties since Christmas Day and is recovering following abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January.
Kensington Palace said at the time Kate was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
From what I hear, Kate has got into a routine again and is functioning well, but she doesn’t want to rush things
Rob Jobson
At the time, the mum-of-three apologised for postponing her Royal engagements following the surgery which was not cancer-linked.
The statement read: "The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.
"She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."
Kensington Palace's original statement on Kate Middleton's surgery
KENSINGTON Palace released a statement in January after Kate had undergone surgery.
Sources made it clear Kate would be out of action until at least Easter.
The palace said: "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.
"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.
"The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.
"She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
If Kate recuperates according to schedule then her first engagement back could be at the family service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
The Princess of Wales was seen in the passenger seat as mum Carole, 69, drove her in an Audi near Windsor Castle on Monday.
She was wearing sunglasses and appeared to be smiling slightly in her first sighting since her abdominal operation.
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It comes after social media was flooded with conspiracy theories over her whereabouts as rumours about her health began to swirl.
The King remains off work after his cancer diagnosis with no date set for his return to front-line duties.
