Out until Easter

Couple axe tours while Kate recovers. Wills to be by her side & help with kids

- RUSSELL MYERS and MATTHEW YOUNG

JUST last week, the Princess of Wales was looking forward to a tour with William to thank British troops working abroad.

But the couple have now ditched all royal engagements while she recovers from abdominal surgery, which will keep her out of action until after Easter in late March.

And the Prince will be by her side during that recuperation, looking after her and their children George, 10, Charlotte, eight and Louis, five, at their Windsor home.

Kate was taken to The London Clinic in Marylebone on Tuesday for the planned procedure and will remain there for up to two weeks.

Speculation was last night growing about the nature of her operation, but Kensington Palace insisted she was not rushed to the private hospital and her condition was "non-cancerous".

As well as axing next month's trip to thank troops, William and Kate will also postpone their first official visit to Italy in spring.

A royal source said: "Everything has been rightly dropped in such circumstances. William and the children will no doubt visit the hospital when the time is right.

DIFFICULT

"William and Kate have always put their family first and now the Prince of Wales' central role will be to be there for his wife and his children until the Princess has made a full recovery.

Majesty magazine editor in chief Ingrid Seward told how the couple will have plenty of help as Kate recovers from her operation.

She said: "It is difficult when it is mum who is hospitalised.