This Wednesday afternoon, January 17, the news about the state of health of Kate Middleton (42), who has undergone 'planned' abdominal surgery and will not return to public life for a few months, and the king Charles III, who at 75 years old will undergo surgery next week to undergo prostate surgery. Both news were communicated by the Royal House and, regarding the first, Kensington later clarified the worst rumors that were already emerging in England about Kate: “It is not cancer.” This Thursday, the British tabloids wake up with these topics on their covers.
The Times title: “Hospital treatments for the princess and the king”. The Mirror It heads its cover with the princes of Wales and leaves Charles III in the background: “William cancels his engagements as the princess has undergone surgery… and Charles is also ready to undergo surgery”.
He Daily Express It also carries the royal institution at its head: “Kate is 'fine' after surgery, but recovery will take weeks… and the king will be treated in hospital next week for an enlarged prostate.”.
He Daily Mail goes further: “Let's pray that they are both well”. And they add: “Kate will spend up to two weeks in hospital and will not return to public life until Easter after abdominal surgery”. About William and Harry's father: “The king will undergo a 'corrective procedure' for an enlarged prostate next week as the monarch cancels engagements”.
The Sun He also writes in his header: “Royalty shaken by Kate's operation”. And they add: “He will be in the hospital for two weeks” y “No royal duties for three months”. “The king's prostate”again, in the background.
Kate Middleton
The tabloids also highlight the fact that Prince William, the first in the line of succession, has “cleared his schedule so he could help his wife in the hospital and at home” while recovering from surgery: “The prince will split his time between London and Windsor and will stay at home for several weeks after his wife leaves hospital.”. . . . The actual editor Rebecca English also writes and highlights in her analysis of the Daily Mail: “It is very unusual for royal households to reveal details of the private medical problems of a member of the Royal Family”.
However, regarding the Princess of Wales, the journalist clarified: “It is understood that Kate was not rushed to hospital and that her condition is 'non-cancerous'. A source told the Mail that she is 'fine'”.
The royal institution stated that Kate's intervention was “planned”, but the truth is that she had events on her agenda for next week and she had to cancel them all. Not only her, but also her husband, the future king, who will remain next to the mother of her children during her hospital stay, between 10 and 14 days. Why, if they knew that the princess had to undergo surgery, did they organize events for both of them that now they have to cancel?
Charles III
About Charles III, the chronicler explains: “I was personally keen to share details of his unexpected diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in accordance with public health advice.”. Buckingham Palace already explained in its note that “His Majesty's state is benign”. The institution also clarified that “The King's public engagements will be postponed for a short recovery period”.
Institutional representation
In this sense, the English press also puts on the table the institutional representation of the crown, which in recent years has been reduced due to the controversies of the prince andrew (His mother withdrew his royal duties and military honors after his association with the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein) and the 'Megxit' towards the United States of Prince Harry y Meghan Markle. Princess Anne or the Dukes of Wessex then took a step forward in their representative duties. It must be remembered that a change was made to the historic Regency Law of 1937 to include them. Camilla's role as queen is also essential. However, as we said above, a very long recovery time is not expected for King Charles.