DOUBLE BLOW: WILLIAM PUTS FAMILY FIRST AMID SHOCK OF SURGERY FOR KATE

Three senior royals take a break from their duties as King Charles reveals he also needs hospital treatment

- REBECCA RUSSELL

After a turbulent four years that brought the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a rift with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan and the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew, the royal family were dealt another blow last week when the Princess of Wales underwent “planned abdominal surgery” at The London Clinic.

The worrying development will have undoubtedly rocked the Prince of Wales. But, as ever, he and Kate, 42, are keeping their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, at the heart of the decisions they make.

William, 41, has put aside official engagements to allow him to be at his wife and children’s side.

His decision leaves no doubt that he is the most modern royal father the public have seen, says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond.

“William choosing not to do engagements is completely in line with their view that they make the family the most important thing as much as they possibly can,” she tells OK!.

“They prioritise their family life and I always applaud them for doing that. This is a time when the kids are going to need their dad more than ever, with their mum in hospital, so he’s going to be there to reassure them.”

Jennie says that as well as paying regular visits to his wife’s hospital bed, William will look to Kate’s early years learning expertise and draw on his own experiences of worrying about his late mother when deciding how best to broach the subject of Kate’s recovery with his children.

“Keeping the routine going is important. But they are certain to be feeling a bit confused,” she says.