Princess Kate has been admitted to the hospital for a “planned abdominal surgery.” Kensington Palace announced Wednesday that the Princess of Wales, 42, underwent a “successful” surgery on Tuesday and is expected to remain hospitalized for 10 to 14 days before returning home to recover.

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

Kate asked for privacy amid her recovery. “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.”

The Princess of Wales and Prince William share three kids: Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5. The palace apologized to all those affected by Kate’s postponed engagements. “She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible,” the statement concluded.

Kate and the British royals typically maintain a robust schedule of public engagements for their various charities and personal family outings such as their yearly Easter church service at St. George’s Chapel.

The 42-year-old’s last public appearance was in December for Christmas church service at St Mary Magdalene Church. On Christmas Eve, Kate’s televised Christmas carol service, “Together at Christmas,” aired in support of her charity The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

Kate celebrated her birthday earlier this month but did not have a public engagement. King Charles III and Queen Camilla recognized Kate’s 42nd birthday, honoring her with a “very happy birthday” message posted on the royal family’s social media accounts on Jan. 9 and a photo of Kate from the coronation last year.

Bells rung out at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday to celebrate Kate’s birthday. “Our bell ringers are ringing 542 changes of Stedman Caters followed by a course of Sgurr A’Chaorachain Surprise Royal,” according to the official Westminster Abbey account on X, formerly Twitter.

In other news – Jason Kelce addresses reports of retirement from the NFL

Jason Kelce is still weighing his options. After a report surfaced on Tuesday that the celebrated 36-year-old Philadelphia Eagles center — a Super Bowl champion, six-time All Pro honoree, and future Hall of Famer — plans to retire from the NFL, Jason himself is speaking out on Wednesday’s episode of his New Heights podcast.

“I don’t know what next year’s gonna look like,” Jason tells his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, with whom he co-hosts the show. “I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose, despite I guess what’s been leaked to the media.” Read More