King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales, relaxed at home on Monday after leaving the hospital following separate surgeries, in a double health scare for Britain’s royal family.
Head-of-state Charles, 75, left the private London Clinic three days after his prostate operation.
The monarch, clad in a suit and a dark overcoat, nodded to the onlookers as he and Queen Camilla, 76, exited the central London facility and entered a waiting car.
His departure came just hours after Kensington Palace announced that his daughter-in-law Catherine, whose husband is Prince William, the heir to the throne, had also left the facility following abdominal surgery earlier this month.
It is unknown when the 42-year-old princess was discharged, but her staff stated that she was making “good progress” at home at the start of a potentially months-long recovery.
The couple’s absence has resulted in a frontline staffing deficit inside the already slimmed-down monarchy, with William canceling public engagements to be by his wife’s side, leaving Camilla as the most visible working royal.
Charles, who became monarch on September 8, 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, has been in relatively good health, with the exception of polo and skiing injuries.
The palace stated on January 17 that he will undergo a “corrective procedure” for the benignly enlarged prostate the following week, and he was admitted to the facility last Friday.
According to an update, Charles, who spent three nights in the hospital, has delayed upcoming engagements “for a period of private recuperation”.
It gave no update on his medical status, although he was stated to have been “doing well” during the weekend.
“His Majesty would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days,” a statement said.
Charles wanted to publicise his own case to raise awareness about the condition, which affects urination in men over the age of 50.
Symptoms include a frequent desire to use the restroom and difficulties entirely emptying the bladder.
The news has resulted in an increase in internet searches for the keyword “enlarged prostate” on the state-run NHS website.
Catherine, meantime, was treated in hospital about two weeks ago and has now returned to Windsor, west of London, to finish her recuperation, according to a Kensington Palace statement.
Kate and William thanked medical staff and stated that the family “continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
At the time of her operation, Kensington Palace said unequivocally that her ailment was unrelated to cancer.