The Princess of Wales is said to be “doing well” after it was revealed she had major surgery on Wednesday that will keep her out of the public eye for months.

Kensington Palace announced in a bombshell statement that the princess had had “planned and routine” abdominal surgery at a private London clinic earlier in the day.

The surgery is said to have been successful, and British media was reporting on Thursday (Australian time) that Kate was doing well as she recovered.

But she is expected to be sidelined until after Easter.

“It is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” Kensington Palace said.

“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”

No details of the surgery were given, although a palace spokesman confirmed the condition was non-cancerous.

“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate,” the statement said.

“She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.”

But the lengthy recovery period, and the timing of the operation, has royal watchers in a froth.

There were reports last month that Kate and husband Prince William were to visit Rome in the northern spring while another tour – as soon as February – to an unnamed destination where British troops are serving was also reported to be in the Wales’ 2024 schedule.

Kensington Palace had not officially announced either trip but talks were reportedly underway at the “highest level”. It would have been 42-year-old Kate’s first overseas working tour in nearly two years – since the couple’s controversial visit to Caribbean nations in 2022.

A line in the palace statement that the princess “wishes to apologise … that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements” is also being examined. It suggests her surgery, while not an emergency, was likely scheduled in more of a hurry than has been revealed

William, 41, will also postpone several engagements while his wife is recovering – and will cancel others in the immediate period after she leaves hospital.

Buckingham Palace’s statement about the King’s own health issue.

Kensington Palace said it would provide further updates on Kate’s health only when there was “significant new information to share”.

The Princess of Wales was last seen in public on Christmas Day, when she accompanied other senior royals to a church service at Sandringham.

She and the King appeared in good health. Despite that, Buckingham Palace announced just hours after the princess’s health update that the King would also be in hospital next week.

“In common with thousands of men each year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate,” it said in a statement.

The 75-year-old will have a “corrective procedure”. The palace said his condition was benign.

The eldest of three children of middle-class, self-made entrepreneurs, the former Kate Middleton became the Princess of Wales after the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022 when William was given the title of Prince of Wales, which his father had held for more than six decades.

Polls show that since her marriage to William in a grand wedding in 2011 she has become one of the most popular members of the royal family and the epitome of the modern face of the monarchy. She is also considered a global fashion icon who regularly graces the front pages of glossy magazines.

Kate and William have three children – Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte. She spent four days in hospital in 2012 with severe morning sickness while pregnant with eldest son George.

All three children were at school in Berkshire as normal on Wednesday. Future king William has reportedly been doing the school run in between trips to see his wife.

-with AAP