Princess of Wales Kate Middleton in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery

By Sharon Braithwaite, David Wilkinson and Max Foster | CNN

London  — Catherine, Princess of Wales, will spend up to two weeks recovering in hospital after successfully undergoing abdominal surgery.

“Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery,” Kensington Palace said in a statement Wednesday.

The operation was successful and Catherine – known by many as Kate – will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, it said.

It is unclear what the surgery was for, but a royal source told CNN that the 42-year-old’s condition was non-cancerous.

“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” it added.

Once discharged, the Princess of Wales is expected to recover at home in Windsor, the royal source said.

She is likely to be advised to recuperate for two to three months, and her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time, the source said.

“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private,” the palace said, and promised to provide further updates when possible.