The Princess of Wales will spend up to two weeks in hospital after a successful abdominal surgery, it was revealed today.

Kate Middleton, 42, was admitted to a London hospital yesterday for the planned operation and is expected to stay there for 10 to 14 days.

The future Queen will the return home to Windsor to continue her recovery.

The reason for the procedure has not been shared but it is understood to be non-cancerous.

Here, MailOnline details her health history.

Kate Middleton, 42, was admitted to a London hospital yesterday for the planned operation and is expected to be in hospital for 10 to 14 days. Pictured: Kate arriving for the royal carol concert at Westminster Abbey on December 8 last year

Kensington Palace announced today that the Princess of Wales has had abdominal surgery

Three-inch scar on head

Kate has a three-inch scar on the left side of her head from when she was a child.

It was first spotted in 2011 when the princess was conducting her first solo royal engagement at a black-tie private dinner at Clarence House.

It was confirmed to be the result of surgery carried out when she was a young child.

An official statement explained that ‘the scar related to a childhood operation,’ but said that details of the operation were a private matter. 

Royal sources confirmed that it had been ‘a very serious operation’ but declined to comment further.

However, surgeons at the time said the scar is unlikely to be the result of a tumour and may have been caused by a birth mark being removed.

Kate’s scar was first spotted when she attended a dinner at Clarence House in 2011

A statement explained that the scar, normally concealed, was from a childhood operation

Morning sickness

The Princess was hospitalised for three days with severe morning sickness in 2012, while she was pregnant with Prince George.

She was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital — a private hospital in Marylebone that has been used by the Royal Family for more than a century.

Kate went on to suffer again from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) while pregnant with Princess Charlotte in 2014 and Prince Louis in 2018. 

The condition saw the Princess announce her later two pregnancies early, before reaching the crucial 12-week stage.

However, while carrying Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, she was cared for at Kensington Palace rather than in hospital.

HG can lead to severe dehydration and puts both mother and baby at risk of being deprived of essential nutrients, as they are unable to keep food and drink down.

Sufferers can be left vomiting up to 30 times a day, with exhausting and hazardous consequences.

Kate revealed in 2020 that she used meditation and deep breathing to help her control her symptoms.

Abdominal surgery

The Princess had planned abdominal surgery and will spend up to two weeks in hospital, royal aides revealed today.

Kate was admitted to The London Clinic in Marylebone yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for ten to 14 days.

She will then return home to Windsor to continue her recovery with the support of her family, Kensington Palace said. 

It is understood not to be cancerous but no other details of the surgery was given.

The Princess is likely to be advised to recuperate for two to three months. 

The NHS recommends deep breathing, circulation, core and chair and standing exercises to recover from abdominal surgery.

Kate’s return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time but she is not expected to return to public events until after Easter.

Police officers stand outside The London Clinic today where Kate is staying after surgery