King Charles visits Kate Middleton in hospital while she recovers from surgery – as he’s admitted for prostate op today
Palace revealed why Charles wanted to share the news about the treatment
KING Charles this morning visited Princess Kate as he was admitted to hospital for prostate treatment with Queen Camilla by his side.
The monarch today arrived at the London Clinic – the same hospital where his daughter-in-law is recovering from her abdominal surgery.
He is understood to have visited Kate ahead of his own treatment, sources said.
The Princess of Wales remains in hospital after a planned op – with the mum-of-three expected to continue her recovery at the clinic for the next few days.
Buckingham Palace said: “The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment.
“His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week.
“He is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.”
The monarch appeared in good spirits as he was driven to the London Clinic today.
And his beloved wife Camilla, 76, was by his side as he was seen stepping out of the car.
She smiled as she left a rear exit of The London Clinic at 3.10pm and got into the back seat of a waiting car.
Camilla didn’t answer any questions before she was driven away.
Charles, 75, has been absent from royal duties while he awaits surgery for an “enlarged prostate”.
Buckingham Palace revealed last week that Charles had been forced to cancel engagements for the “corrective procedure”.
At the weekend Queen Camilla told well-wishers in Swindon that Charles is “fine”.
CHARLES’ CHOICE
It is believed that Charles took the rare step of publicising his operation to raise awareness of prostate health.
A statement last week said: “In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure.
“The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
Charles’ scare was revealed the same day Kensington Palace announced Princess Kate had undergone an abdominal surgery.
The Princess of Wales underwent the planned operation on January 16.
Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that Kate had undergone the surgery, which is understood not to relate to cancer.
Prince William has visited Kate at the London Clinic every day since the surgery.
But there have been no reports that their three children have joined him at her bedside.
A source said that William and Kate want Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, to continue their lives as normal as possible, despite their mother’s absence.
Inside the London Clinic
THE London Clinic has long been a go-to hospital for the Royal Family and other establishment figures.
It opened just off Harley Street in 1932 and has previously admitted Prince Phillip and Princess Margaret.
Patients get their own concierge service, and the hospital’s chef serves fish from Cornish boats and meat from historic Smithfield Market.
Rooms have an electronic patient-controlled bed, en-suite bathroom, a safety deposit box, and a TV.
Besides the royals, the clinic’s visitors have numbered Tinseltown starlets and prime ministers.
Lord Cameron, the former Prime Minister and current Foreign Secretary, was born there in 1966.
Anthony Eden, another Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister, attended the clinic for a cholecystectomy in 1953.
And Congressman and future President John F Kennedy was diagnosed with Addison’s disease there in 1947.
Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was arrested at the London Clinic in October 1998 for crimes against humanity.
Queen Camilla is the hospital’s patron and her mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth II opened a £80m cancer centre there in 2010.
The hospital was formed by a group of doctors and officially opened by the Queen Mother – then the Duchess of York – in 1932.
It specialises in cancer, women’s health, urology, orthopaedics and robotic surgery.
The clinic can reportedly treat different 155 conditions, with hundreds of treatments, tests and scans available.
It also operates as a charity, reinvesting in research, education and innovation.
The hospital has about 23,000 inpatients a year, with a further 110,000 outpatients.
The building at 20 Devonshire Place has seven main operating theatres and three additional theatres.
It also boasts six specialist wards for surgeries in urology, gynaecology, thoracic surgery, orthopaedics and spinal procedures.
George, Louis and Charlotte have all been at school throughout Kate’s time in hospital, sources said.
It is also understood that the royal children spent Sunday with their doting grandparents on Kate’s side in the comfort of the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.
The princess is expected to stay at the private London Clinic for up to 14 days before going home to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor – and is not thought to be planning any royal engagements before Easter.
She will likely be counting on the support of her close pals, ranging from old school friends to palace insiders.
In another health fright for the royals, it was revealed last week that Sarah Ferguson has been battling an aggressive skin cancer.
The Sun revealed Fergie, the Duchess of York, was battling cancer for the second time in just six months.
The 64-year-old had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma after a mole was removed as she underwent treatment for breast cancer.
Sarah encouraged everyone to check the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles to catch any potential skin cancer early.
Her ex-husband Prince Andrew was spotted behind the wheel of his Range Rover in Windsor this morning,