Kate Middleton Receives Hospital Visit from King Charles

Kate Middleton is receiving support from another family member in the hospital, this time being paid a visit by her father-in-law King Charles. 

PEOPLE understands that the King, 75, visited the Princess of Wales, 42, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, on Friday, ahead of his own surgery to treat an enlarged prostate.

Charles was photographed arriving with wife Queen Camilla at the London Clinic, the same hospital where Kate underwent surgery on Jan. 16. Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement on Friday that the King had been admitted to a London hospital for “scheduled treatment.” 

Kensington Palace announced Kate’s surgery in a statement on Jan. 17. “The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” the statement read. “Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”

PEOPLE understands that Kate’s issue is non-cancerous.

As Kate Middleton recovers, there is confidence in her resilience.

“It does sound serious with the length of time [she’s taking]. But she is in great hands and will have lots of care and support at home and is a fit young woman,” a source close to the royal household tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s issue. “I am sure she will bounce back.”

Charles’ visit comes after Kate’s husband Prince William, 41, was photographed leaving the hospital after a visit on Jan. 18.

William is understood to be planning to spend as much time as possible with his wife as she recovers following her hospitalization and will balance daytime visits with looking after their three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — alongside their longtime nanny at home in Windsor. 

A close family friend says the couple doesn’t have “a huge private staff,” and “as a result, William is really hands-on” with his children.

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While Kate has postponed a number of engagements, William is also expected to postpone some engagements to be by Kate’s side and support their young family. It’s understood that two upcoming planned international trips have been postponed.

Kate made her last public appearance on Christmas Day when she joined other members of the royal family for their annual tradition of walking to church and greeting members of the public gathered outside after the service.

Within their broader circle of family friends, there had been no indication that anything was wrong, and the carefully guarded news about Kate’s situation came as a surprise even to those who work closely with the royal family, PEOPLE understands.