UK: Princess of Wales to be Hospitalized for 2 Weeks After Abdominal Surgery

The UK's Princess of Wales, Catherine, has been hospitalized after undergoing "routine" abdominal surgery and will remain at The London Clinic for up to two weeks.

According to a statement from Kensington Palace, the current residence of the heir to the British throne - Prince William - and his family, the 42-year-old royal by marriage was expected to return to public duties after Easter after she was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday (January 16), the Associated Press reported.

UK: Princess of Wales to be Hospitalized for 2 Weeks After Abdominal Surgery — *(Photo: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)*

Kensington: Kate to Return to Public Duties After Easter

"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate," the palace statement read. "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."

Catherine also wished to apologize for postponing her upcoming engagements, including a potential conjugal visit to Rome in the spring, and "looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible," the palace added.

Her last appearance prior to her hospitalization was during the annual Christmas Day service at Sandringham, where she joined her husband and children, as well as her father-in-law, King Charles III.