Kate Middleton received a warm welcome upon her return to Windsor from her family after being discharged from The London Clinic, where she had undergone abdominal surgery. The Princess of Wales spent nearly two weeks at the private hospital in central London and will now recuperate at the family’s Adelaide Cottage.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are said to have given her an especially warm welcome, much like the one the entire country extended to them when they were born.
However, when Kate gave birth to her first child, Prince George, who is also the future king, she didn’t just experience extreme happiness. In fact, when it was time to introduce him to the world for the first time, the princess was reportedly filled with dread about what lay ahead.
Kate Middleton has finally returned home after spending two weeks at the London Clinic following her scheduled abdominal surgery.
She will now recover at Adelaide Cottage, the home she shares with Prince William in Windsor, and enjoy quality time with their children.
Kate Middleton Recovers at Home Post-Surgery
“The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress,” Kensington Palace stated in a release on Monday. “The Prince and Princess would like to express their deep gratitude to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they provided.”
The statement continued, “The Wales family remains thankful for the well-wishes they have received from around the world.”
“Based on the current medical advice, she is not expected to resume public duties until after Easter.”
Prince William was reportedly by his wife’s side almost every day during her stay at The London Clinic. However, it has been reported that neither Prince George nor his two siblings visited their mother at the hospital.
Now that Kate is home, she can spend precious time with her children. She received a warm welcome from George, Charlotte, and Louis. US Magazine reports that although they didn’t visit their mother in the hospital, the three children have been very involved since her return.
A source told the news outlet: “They’ve all made her some ‘get well soon’ cards along with some of her favorite snacks.”
Kate Middleton left the private clinic earlier this week through a private exit, the same one she is said to have used when she arrived several weeks ago.
Kate Middleton Recalls “Terrifying” Moment After Giving Birth to George
Meanwhile, King Charles used the main exit when he left The London Clinic after treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Kate is no stranger to the spotlight, but as a royal, it can still be intimidating. There have been other instances when she has found it “terrifying.”
In July 2013, William and Kate welcomed their firstborn son, George. The world was eagerly awaiting the announcement of his birth, not only because he was a royal baby but also a future king.
Just hours after he was born, Prince George made his first public appearance in front of a large crowd outside the Lindo Wing in Paddington, London. But for Kate, leaving the hospital was “terrifying.”
Speaking on Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby, the Princess of Wales was asked about the experience of welcoming a new life into the world while knowing that thousands of people were eager to know about it and see the baby.
“Yeah, it was a bit terrifying, to be honest. I like to compartmentalize – that’s the word – compartmentalize the whole thing,” she said. She also explained that she decided to follow in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Diana, and pose on the hospital steps with her baby, as reported by the Mirror.
“Everyone had been so supportive, and both William and I were very aware that this was something that everyone was excited about. We are extremely grateful for the public’s support, and for us to be able to share that joy and appreciation with the public was very important.”
“I was really eager to get home”
The Princess of Wales continued, “But at the same time, we had a newborn baby, inexperienced parents, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead, so there were all kinds of mixed emotions.”
Fletcher also asked Kate if she remembered how long it was between giving birth to George and posing on the Lindo Wing steps.
“Oh my gosh, I can’t remember. Everything was a bit of a blur,” Kate replied.
She concluded, “I think I did stay in the hospital overnight. I remember it was one of the hottest days and nights with huge thunderstorms, so I didn’t get much sleep, but George did, which was great. I was really eager to get home because, for me, being in the hospital brought back memories of being sick, so it wasn’t a place I wanted to linger. So, I was really desperate to get home and get back to normal.”
Prince George’s birth was a significant event, and just like for anyone, knowing the newborn’s name is always exciting. And when it comes to future kings, it’s even more special.
The royal children at the top of the line of succession typically have three or more names. For example, Charles is named Charles Philip Arthur George, William is named William Arthur Philip Louis, and the late queen was named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.
Prince George’s Name Was Picked with the Help of the Family Dog
The same is true for William and Kate’s three children: George Alexander Louis, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, and Louis Arthur Charles.
“The further down the line of succession, the more likely you are to have a more unique or untraditional name,” said Carolyn Harris, author of Raising Royalty: 1,000 Years of Royal Parenting.
Thirdly, the monarch is always informed of the name before it is announced. However, Queen Elizabeth – and, in the future, King Charles – did not have to approve the name chosen by the parents.
When Prince George was born, choosing a name was difficult, especially since he was their first child. So, Prince William and Kate Middleton decided to do it in an unconventional way.
William and Kate had trouble deciding on a name for their firstborn son. However, they found a solution. According to the Times, the Prince and Princess of Wales brought in their dog, Lupo, to help them choose from the list of possible names.
They put all the possible names on scraps of paper and spread them on the floor, then let Lupo in to see which piece of paper he went to. The English cocker spaniel picked George, and the decision was made.
Kate Middleton Got Sick When Pregnant with George – “Rotten” Condition Put Her in Hospital
Sadly, Lupo passed away in 2020.
“Very sadly, our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been a beloved part of our family for the past nine years, and we will miss him very much,” William and Kate shared on social media.
Not long after the Wales family said goodbye to Lupo, they welcomed a new cocker spaniel puppy, Orla, into their lives. Prince William and Princess Kate adopted Orla from James Middleton, Kate’s brother, and she has been a cherished family member ever since. George, Charlotte, and Louis have a furry best friend who will watch the children grow up for many years.
While Kate found the birth of George “terrifying,” the pregnancy was also challenging.
In 2012, when she was pregnant with their firstborn son, she was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, which is severe morning sickness. She had to be hospitalized, an experience she described as “rotten.”
Kate had the same experience when pregnant with Charlotte and Louis, and in 2014, she had to cancel a royal tour due to her condition.
How is Kate Middleton’s recovery going?
Are there any restrictions on Kate Middleton’s activities during her recovery?
Will Kate Middleton make any public appearances in the near future?