'It's a difficult, emotional time'

The Princess of Wales will be depending on the support of husband William and her family as she's forced to take time out to recover from abdominal surgery

The royal family may be putting on a brave face following the news last week that the Princess of Wales is "doing well' after planned abdominal surgery, but a royal expert has told new her long recovery will inevitably be a "difficult" time for William, Kate and their children.

Last Wednesday, Kensington Palace made an announcement, saying, "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery." The statement went on to appeal for privacy and to make it clear that Kate, 42, would like things to be as normal as possible for children George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Louis.

It continued, "Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter." According to Jennie Bond, who has followed the royal family closely for years in her capacity as the former BBC royal correspondent, William and Kate will be doing their utmost to keep things "calm" for their children. But she adds that it will be a challenging time for the family.