The Princess of Wales’ abdominal surgery on January 16 was certainly a surprise to the world—but it seems it was also a surprise to those within the Firm and the royal family itself. (As far as we know, she remains in hospital at The London Clinic; she was expected to be there for 10 to 14 days, and the two-week marker since her surgery is this upcoming Tuesday.)
Kate’s last public outing before her hospitalization was on Christmas Day, when she—alongside husband Prince William, children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and the rest of the royal family—attended church services at St. Mary Magdalene at Sandringham, where the royal family traditionally spends Christmas. People reports that “there was no hint of any impending issue” on Christmas morning, and that “Kate beamed as she greeted well-wishers, exchanging laughs and cheerful banter with the public following a church service.”
