Kate Middleton is likely to miss out on BAFTAs, Commonwealth Day Service and St Patrick’s Day engagements – after undergoing ‘planned abdominal surgery’

The Princes of Wales are likely to miss a number of winter and spring activities after undergoing surgery today – including the BAFTAs, St Patrick’s Day and the Commonwealth Service – as she is not expected to return to public events until Easter.

Kate Middleton, 42, is being treated in hospital after successful abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace announced today.

The royal family was admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days.

The future queen will then return to Windsor in Berkshire to continue her recovery with the support of her family. It is not believed to be cancer.

The princess is likely to be advised to recover for two to three months, and her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time.

There are a number of events that are normally on Kate’s agenda at this time of year, but which she apparently won’t be attending in the coming weeks.

In February last year, the royal – who are patrons of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Football League (RFL) – appeared in good spirits as she attended a Six Nations rugby match with her husband Prince William.

Next month, France and Ireland will kick off this year’s Six Nations Championship on February 2, for a match at the Orange Vélodrome in Marseille.

That weekend will also see matches between England and Italy in Rome and Wales against Scotland in Cardiff, where the Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to attend.

Last year Kate also made a glamorous appearance at the BAFTAs – where she chatted to Austin Butler after his win for his role in Elvis.

She looked every bit a Hollywood star as she attended the star-studded event at London’s Royal Festival Hall with William.

The royal mother of three opted for a one-shoulder Alexander McQueen dress for the occasion, which she first wore to the 2019 event.

Kate’s white one-shoulder dress has undergone some minor changes, with the floral detailing on the shoulder replaced by a flowing train of material.

The event marked the first time in three years that the couple, who have made a tradition of attending British cinema’s biggest night every year, had attended.

William has been president of Bafta since 2010 and Kate first attended the event with her husband in 2017.

And we won’t be seeing any pancake antics from the Princess this year either – unless maybe she’s filmed something for a segment in advance.

In 2023, Kate became hysterical when she tried to flip a pancake during a visit to a care home on Shrove Tuesday.

She was all smiles as she arrived sportingly at Oxford House Nursing Home in Slough a floral face mask once inside.

Kate also met with staff and residents and heard how delivering high quality, patient-centred care is at the heart of the home’s work.

However, she giggled when she tried to use a hob to cook pancakes at the care home – with little success.

The staff, led by chef Anna Wright, had already served plates of pancakes loaded with whipped cream and fruit.

Kate took a seat behind the table, grabbed a pan and said, “Okay, how about I just pour it in here right now?” How many? Very thin? OK. Is that good? I’m really nervous. Are pancakes popular? Does everyone know that pancakes are on the menu today? And what toppings do you have? So it’s always a thumbs up day!’

She started pushing the mixture – which didn’t seem to cook as quickly – with her metal flipper, which didn’t seem to have much effect.

“This is where I go wrong, I always try to turn them over too quickly,” she said.

Anne reassured her: ‘They can stick around. There’s no pressure.’

The pressure clearly increased for the princess as she laughed, “I wish there was some music playing or something!” I try. That does not work! This isn’t going anywhere. I’ll have to tone it down. Okay, it comes to this. I wish I could see everyone doing this. ‘

Kate tried to shake the pan, but the pancake clearly wouldn’t budge. “Maybe my kids won’t want me to make pancakes with them when they get home from school now,” she giggled.

It is also understood that the Princess is unlikely to attend any engagements before St David’s Day in March.

Last year Kate accompanied her husband, who made his first visit to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at Combermere Barracks in Windsor as their newly appointed colonel of the regiment.

It was a position King Charles had held since 1975, with his son and heir taking over in December.

The Prince and Princess then met many families of the Welsh Guardsmen, as well as men and women from the Australian Army who are stationed in Britain to help train Ukrainian soldiers.

Kate was presented with a bouquet of flowers by seven-year-old Royal fan Elsi-Haf Cunningham, who wore traditional Welsh clothing as her father took part in the parade.

Her mother, Krystal Cunningham, said her daughter will remember the moment for the rest of her life.

‘It was a very proud moment. She absolutely loves the Royal Family but has only ever seen Kate on TV,” she said, adding: “It was a big moment for her.”