Prince William visits Kate in hospital after major surgery

The heir to the throne was seen driving away from the London Clinic in an Audi, after leaving via the rear exit around lunchtime.

William, 41, headed away from the private hospital in Marylebone to his home in Windsor, in time for his children’s return from school.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have a family-first approach and always try to make sure one of them does the school run whenever possible.

William is taking a break from royal duties and will split his time between home and London for the duration of his wife’s stay in hospital, which could be up to two weeks.

Sources said he did not stay with Kate at the hospital immediately after her surgery on Tuesday, but instead went home to be with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.

He is not expected to undertake any official duties until the Princess is settled back in Windsor, so is unlikely to return to work until the second week of February.

But William is expected to take the young royals to see their mother in hospital.

It will be a weekend visit so their education is not disrupted.

Meanwhile their grandfather, King Charles will have a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate in hospital next week.

But the 75-year-old monarch is not expected to be out of action for as long as his daughter-in-law and has only postponed engagements for a “short period”.

Veteran royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams described the Prince of Wales as a devoted father and husband.

He said: “From the beginning of his marriage to Catherine, William has tried to keep life as normal as possible and put his family as well as duty at its heart.

“The early period with the RAF in Angle-sey and then with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and only taking up full-time royal duties in 2017, was evidence of this.

“Also taking on far fewer patronages but doing more for the ones that he and Catherine take on.”

The rest of Kate’s family are also rallying round. Her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, sister Pippa Matthews and brother James Middleton have all cleared their diaries to support her recovery and help look after the children.

All four have remained close to Kate since she married into the Royal Family in 2011. They live in Berkshire, just a short drive to the Wales’s home, Adelaide Cottage.

Carole and Michael often have their grandchildren for sleepovers or take them out when their parents have official duties. Mr Fitzwilliams said their support is vital.

He added: “William will be reassuringly hands-on looking after George, Charlotte and Louis and undoubtedly will be helped by the Middletons. They are likely to prove invaluable at a time like this.”

Carole has revealed she loves planning outdoor activities, such as bike rides and tree-climbing for the young royals and said becoming a grandmother had strengthened her relationship with her own children.

“We are all still close because our relationship has evolved as my children have had children,” she told Good Housekeeping.

The Wales’s nanny, Maria Borrallo, will also be there to help.

Kate, 42, is said to be “doing well” as she recovers from her operation but will spend up to three months recovering.

It is unclear what the exact nature of the surgery was although Kensington Palace confirmed it was not cancerous.

Kate may choose to reveal more about it when she has recovered.

The Princess’s diary has been cleared until after Easter, which means the couple’s planned state visit to Italy and trip to thank troops abroad have had to be postponed.

Fans of the Princess and charities supported by her sent their own personal messages yesterday.

The family of inspirational child fundraiser Tony Hudgell urged her not to rush back to work too soon.

Nine-year-old Tony, a double amputee, has raised more than £1.8 million for charity – including £500,000 that went to a children’s surgery unit officially opened by Kate last month.

His mum, Paula, said: “She is very special to us. She has been absolutely wonderful and has been a number one supporter through Tony’s fundraising.”

Her advice for the Princess was: “Get well soon, but take your time. We all try to think we are superwoman, especially when we have children.”

“She needs to take her time and not rush back to things. Take each day as it comes.”

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, of which Kate is patron, sent a message on X, saying: “We are all thinking of you.”

The Dadvengers community group for fathers and their children, visited by Kate in November, also had a get well message.

Founder Nigel Clarke said: “All of the team at Dadvengers wish Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales a speedy recovery from her surgery.”

The Baby Bank, in Holyport, Berks – where the Princess has taken George, Charlotte and Louis to help sort donations – sympathised with Kate, saying the journey back to health for mums can be difficult.

Co-chief executives, Rebecca Mistry and Lauren Hall, said: “We wish the Princess a speedy recovery and know that with young children that’s not always possible.”

But they added: “We can recommend some books to read whilst she recovers.”