Prince Harry may have learned about King Charles' illness from the media rather than being informed by the palace itself.
The Duke of Sussex was reportedly informed of his father's prostate diagnosis in a message from Buckingham Palace, but according to The Telegraph he was reported to have previously reported it in the media.
Harry has so far commented on the news of Charles' health scare, which was publicly announced in Britain at 3.25pm on Wednesday, which would have been at 7.25am in California, where the duke lives.
Kensington Palace said separately at 2pm on Wednesday that the Princess of Wales was being treated in hospital following successful abdominal surgery.
Harry is scheduled to be honored as a “living legend of aviation” at an awards ceremony hosted by John Travolta in Beverly Hills, California, on Friday.
The Duke's work in establishing the Invictus Games Foundation is also celebrated. It is not clear whether Harry or his wife Meghan will attend the glitzy awards ceremony.
Prince Harry (pictured on Tuesday) may have learned about King Charles' illness from the media rather than being informed by the palace itself
King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham church on Christmas Day last month
Prince William, Catherine, Prince Harry and Meghan attend the Commonwealth Day service in 2020. Harry has not commented on his sister-in-law's health problems
Both the palace and a spokesman for the Sussexes declined to comment on Harry's silence on his relative's health problems.
But it is understood that neither side is keen on stoking tensions within the company, which has been rocked by a series of dramas in recent months.
The latest development appears to reflect the breakdown in communications following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
On this occasion, Harry learned of the news of his grandmother's death via a news alert as he was mid-air on his way to Scotland when the first public announcement was made.
The Princess of Wales will spend a third night in hospital after serious abdominal surgery, while William, her parents and siblings erased their diaries to support her recovery and look after George, Charlotte and Louis.
Kate is said to be doing “well” as she recovers after the procedure at the London Clinic in Marylebone. This was announced on the same day that King Charles announced he was taking a short break to treat an enlarged prostate.
Prince William, 41, has postponed engagements to spend as much time as possible at Kate's bedside and supporting her three young children in Windsor.
It is understood William wants to continue school to provide as much normality as possible for 10-year-old Prince George, eight-year-old Princess Charlotte and five-year-old Prince Louis while their mother is in hospital.
He will also be able to count on the help of their nanny Maria and Kate's family, especially her parents Michael and Carole Middleton, who are hands-on grandparents who are used to having the children over for sleepovers or staying with them.
Kate's parents and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are already at her side and supporting her recovery at their home in Windsor, which is close to home.
Kate, Charlotte, George, William and Louis at the Christmas Day 2023 service in Sandringham. William takes time off to support his wife and look after their children
Kate's parents Carole and Michael, as well as her sister and brother-in-law Pippa and James (all pictured at Westminster Abbey in December), are at the heart of the Middleton support network for her and her children
A police officer stands outside the London Clinic today, where Britain's Princess Catherine of Wales is being hospitalized for abdominal surgery
The nature of Kate's condition was not revealed, although Kensington Palace confirmed it was not cancer.
This comes after Prince William visited his wife Kate in hospital today.
The heir to the throne was spotted leaving the London Clinic behind the wheel of a £139,000 electric Audi E-Tron GT Carbon projection, followed by royal bodyguards in a Range Rover.
It turns out King Charles will be in hospital next week for surgery on his enlarged prostate. Queen Camilla said in Aberdeen today: 'He's fine, thank you very much.' I'm looking forward to getting back to work.'
The Prince of Wales was seen leaving the private London clinic in Marylebone at around 12.35pm on Thursday. His wife could spend up to two weeks there recuperating and he spent the morning with her before returning to Windsor.
With Prince William also taking leave to care for his wife and children, the so-called “big three” royals will be away from their duties in the coming weeks. Experts say Harry and Meghan are in the US and Andrew is in the cold. There are only Princess Anne and her brother Prince Edward to visit.
William drove a new electric Audi to be with his wife Kate at a private London hospital this morning. She will be there for up to two weeks
Prince William, Prince of Wales, drives himself away from the London Clinic in London, where his wife Kate, Princess of Wales, underwent abdominal surgery
The Prince of Wales has freed his schedule from duties to support his wife and children
Queen Camilla opens the new Safe Space during a visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery today. The queen said the king was “doing well” and “looking forward to getting back to work” as he awaits treatment for his enlarged prostate
Police stand outside the London clinic today where Britain's Princess Catherine of Wales is being hospitalized for abdominal surgery
Kate is not expected to return to public events until Easter and her husband will be by his wife and children's side throughout.
Any royal trips William and Kate have planned for the coming months will also no longer take place amid speculation they would visit Italy together in March.
The nature of the princess' condition was not revealed, although Kensington Palace confirmed it was not cancer.
However, it is serious enough that heir to the throne William is postponing his official duties while his wife is in hospital and immediately devoting his time to his family while she recovers.
The royal family's 'big three' are out of action as Buckingham Palace also announced yesterday that King Charles III. will be hospitalized next week to undergo “corrective surgery” for an enlarged prostate.
The Princess of Wales received a get well message from East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) as she recovers from abdominal surgery.
The charity, of which Kate is a patron, wrote down
“We are all thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales has undergone abdominal surgery
Charles attends a Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on January 7th
The statement released by Buckingham Palace on Charles' health
The senior royals' two health updates came within 90 minutes of each other, with Kensington Palace first at 2pm and Buckingham Palace following at 3.30pm.
She was reportedly not rushed to hospital and her condition did not progress over the weekend.
The prince will also postpone a number of engagements as he needs to support his family and will not undertake any official duties while his wife is in hospital.
He will also not be carrying out any official duties in the immediate period following Kate's return home. Royal advisers will present a revised timetable to William in due course.
It is unclear what the exact nature of the operation was, as the palace did not want to reveal details about Kate's “medical privacy.” However, it did not rule out the possibility that she might decide to speak publicly about it herself in the future.
Sun GP Dr. Zoe Williams told The Sun: “This could be something that has bothered her all her life and hasn't been able to resolve, or an issue that has only recently come to light.”
“Two weeks in the hospital is longer than we would normally expect, but she doesn't have a normal life.” She is the future queen, so doctors will err on the side of caution.
“We are all hoping that it is a minor issue and that the operation will be uncomplicated, but precautions are wise.” With any medical treatment, you can never be completely sure what will happen next.
“The most important thing is that she gets enough recovery time and it isn’t too stressful for her and her family.”
Kate arrives at the royal carol concert at Westminster Abbey on December 8 last year
Kate with her family at the Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey on December 8th last year
Dr. Deborah Lee by Dr. Fox Online Pharmacy told The Express: “With abdominal surgery, most people stay in hospital four to seven days.” After laparoscopic surgery [a type of keyhole surgery]this is shortened to two to four days.
“It depends very much on what exactly was done.” If a patient has to go to the ITU, their hospital stay is likely to be significantly longer.
“It may take two months or longer for the patient to feel comfortable and be able to move normally.”
Neither William nor Kate will be traveling internationally in the coming months.
William and Kate are said to have planned a high-profile visit to Rome this spring as part of a European charm offensive, but this is now in doubt. Another planned foreign military operation could be affected.
Kate will almost certainly be forced to miss a number of high-profile events that would otherwise be expected of her.
She and William have made regular appearances at the Baftas, British cinema's biggest night, held in central London this month, but that would be too soon for the recovering princess.
She is also likely to miss a long-standing royal tradition in March – distributing shamrocks to the Irish Guards on St Patrick's Day in her role as honorary colonel of the regiment.
The annual Commonwealth Day service, also in March, will likely have to go ahead without them. The Princess, patron of English rugby, is also unlikely to be well enough to take part in the Guinness Six Nations, which begins next month.
Kate attended the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London last November
Police officers stand in front of the London Clinic where Kate is staying after the operation
The Princess celebrated her birthday just over a week ago when the monarchy's official social media accounts shared a new behind-the-scenes photo of the Princess at the King's coronation.
Kate is normally in good health but was previously hospitalized during pregnancy after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum – severe morning sickness.
A palace spokesman said: “Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales has been admitted to the London clinic for planned abdominal surgery.”
“The operation was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days before returning home to continue her recovery.” According to current medical assessments, a return to public service is unlikely to be possible until after Easter.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public understands her desire to maintain as much normality as possible for her children; and your desire for your personal medical information to remain confidential.
“Kensington Palace will therefore only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’s progress when there is important new information to share.”
“The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to all those affected by her having to postpone her upcoming engagements.”
“She looks forward to rehiring as many as possible as quickly as possible.”
Royal expert Phil Dampier said: “I wish the Princess of Wales a speedy recovery from abdominal surgery.” We don't know the details but it was clearly serious as she will remain in hospital for two weeks and needs up to three months to recover to recover.”
And the Queen's former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said on X: “I'm sure I speak for everyone and wish His Royal Highness a speedy recovery.”
Like the rest of the royal family, Kate has had busy and turbulent times in recent years, with the Platinum Jubilee and the death of the late Queen in 2022 and the coronation in 2023, as well as settling into her new role as Princess of Wales.
Kate was admitted to the London Clinic (pictured) for planned abdominal surgery
The Waleses have also faced the ongoing rift between William and his brother, the Duke of Sussex, with Harry making controversial claims about Charles, Camilla, William and Kate in his Netflix documentary and memoir Spare.
William's former university roommate has carefully crafted her charity work since her marriage to the prince in 2011 and her appointment as HRH, focusing on mental health and early childhood.
Considered the monarchy's safe couple, Kate has the principle of “keep calm and carry on” and is said to embody the same qualities of charm, politeness and toughness as the late Queen Mother, who was once described as a “marshmallow” made on a welding machine.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who was private secretary to the Cambridges and the Duke of Sussex and formerly worked for the Queen Mother, told The Times: “She takes time to talk to people. “She's tough.
“She has a queen mother feel about her, so she’s there when things need to be done.”
Located on the corner of Devonshire Place and Marylebone Road in central London, The London Clinic is the largest independent private hospital in the UK.
The clinic first opened in 1932. Her previous patients include Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, actress Elizabeth Taylor and US President John F. Kennedy.