King Charles has returned home after spending three nights in a Central London hospital following a procedure for an enlarged prostate.
On Monday, Charles was discharged from the London Clinic in Marylebone just hours after his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton left the same hospital following a 13-day stay. While walking out of the clinic with Queen Camilla, who has been to visit her husband four times during his stay, Charles was wrapped up in a warm wool coat, smiled and waved at well wishers. As he was driven off in his car, he waved farewell to a group of onlookers who had gathered outside the clinic.
Buckingham Palace announced his release in a statement that read, “The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.”
Sources close to the royal family have praised The London Clinic for the security measures during Charles’s stay. “The hospitalization of two senior royals was no small feat for royal security and the London Clinic, but those challenges were overcome with great success which has been a relief for everyone involved,” one source told Vanity Fair.
King Charles and Princess Kate’s hospitalizations are believed to be the first time two senior royals have been in the same hospital.
On Monday, Charles issued a brief statement thanking the hospital for its care and thanking well-wishers for the supportive messages he has received. “His Majesty would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days,” a spokesman said.
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While Buckingham Palace has not disclosed where King Charles will recuperate or for how long he will be off work, sources close to Charles have said that he hopes to resume light desk duties within a matter of days. Camilla has also indicated that Charles, who she has previously described as a workaholic, is keen to get back to his desk.
“The King has remained in good spirits throughout all of this,” said a friend of the monarch. “He was diagnosed very quickly after suffering symptoms and his condition has been dealt with at some speed. It’s all happened very fast and he is very grateful to his medical team for the wonderful care he has received. He is feeling well in himself and is already back to reading his correspondence and doing some work.”