Kate Middletonis in good hands atThe London Clinic, says a former patient who had abdominal surgery at the private hospital last year.
The Princess of Wales, 42, is recovering at the renowned hospital near Harley Street in the Marylebone neighborhood of London where Kensington Palace announced that she had “planned abdominal surgery” last week. A former patient who had abdominal surgery at The London Clinic exclusively tells PEOPLE about what it was like and how the facility uniquely helped his road to recovery.
The London Clinic is the largest independent, private hospital in the U.K. and can treat approximately 155 different conditions. The facility employs anextensive care teamof over 1,000 nursing, clinical and support staff, which the former patient says makes all the difference.
“The nurses are just unbelievable, incredibly attentive to your needs. The hospital is very well-staffed, and they all seemed very knowledgeable, very sensitive and caring. The physios [physical therapists] are amazing helping you recover and get back on your feet,” he says. “After abdominal surgery, you need a lot of patience, and it’s a bit scary at first.”
Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Princess Kate had “successful” abdominal surgery the day prior and added that she was expected to remain at the hospital for 10 to 14 days before heading home to continue recovering. The former patient says that the timeline mirrors his own experience and that he got to leave a “little sooner.” When he had to return after contracting an infection, “they cared for me very well,” he says.
Police officers stand guard outside The London Clinic on Jan. 18, after Kensington Palace announced Kate Middleton had had surgery there.Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty
Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty
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“The doctors come and go, but the nurses are the backbone of that hospital. They are incredible, and I don’t have enough good words to say about them,” he says. “I would have bed sweats in the middle of the night which would leave my bed completely drenched, and they would come in and change it all in a few minutes. They are so caring and made you feel like nothing was too much trouble.”
During his convalescence, the former patient says the “incredible” physical therapists taught him tricks to aid recuperation, and that the porters “make you laugh.” Children arenot allowedto visit The London Clinic without permission from the matrons, which the insider says is due to the negative pressure to keep infections at bay.
Prince George, Princess Kate and King Charles leave St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2023.Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty
Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty
“One day my son turned up with my wife as we didn’t know the rule, and they kindly made an exception and let him come up to see me, but I think he found it really scary so I’m not sure I would do that again,” he says of the experience.
The insider says that he found his recovery journey to be a slow road, even though his baseline health had been good.
“Even several weeks after the op, I would feel exhausted after the slightest chore or walk. It can be quite a slow recovery. I’m pretty fit and active, and it took me a few months to get back to even a gentle swim or a proper walk,” he says. “I had the surgery last June, and I’m back to full health now but it took a while. It’s quite a major op.”
The insider says his room was “lovely and big” and a spare bed was brought in for his wife.
“The level of service was excellent,” he says, adding that the food was especially memorable.
“The food is good. It’s a la carte so if you want to make changes, they are pretty good. I was on a strict diet at the beginning, but when I had visitors, they were easily able to order whatever they wanted from the normal menu,” the former patient says. “My dad had a tuna sandwich and a cup of tea.”
The London Clinic has “three or four different menus” to meet any diet, from curries, salads and soups to a “low residue” list of options that are easily digestible, he says.
“It’s very plain food that’s really easy to digest, like plain rice, grilled salmon, grilled chicken, banana, plain mashed potato — no roughage at all. Dessert was jelly or custard, nursery food, really! I think the first thing I ate was clear chicken soup; it’s a very restrictive diet,” he recalls of what he ate during his stay. “There were two levels of the low residue menu, and you work your way up to the normal menu. They all know what you should be eating.”
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall in Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Palace sources tell PEOPLE that Princess Kate is “doing well” after having “successful” surgery at The London Clinic last Tuesday. PEOPLE understands that the issue was non-cancerous. The Princess of Wales wasmost recently seenon Christmas Day when she stepped out for the royal family’s annual walk to church at St. Mary Magdalene near Sandringham.
“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” the statement from Kensington Palace announcing Princess Kate’s surgery said in part. “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as muchnormality for her childrenas possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.”
Prince Williamwasseen leavingThe London Clinic last Thursday and is expected to postpone some engagements to support his family during this time. The Prince and Princess of Wales are parents toPrince George, 10,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5, who recently returned to the classroom following a holiday break.
source: people.com
