Queen Camilla has insisted King Charles is fine and showed it's business as usual as she carried out an official engagement after the royals were hit by a double health scare.
The Princess of Wales is continuing to recover in hospital today after undergoing abdominal surgery and is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days. Just over an hour after Kensington Palace made the statement about the princess yesterday it was then revealed that King Charles will be receiving hospital treatment next week for an enlarged prostate - and will have a "short period of recovery".
Camilla, who will no doubt be supporting Charles through his procedure, visited Aberdeen Art Gallery, where she opened its new safe space. While there, she was asked about the King by the Lord Provost. Camilla replied: "He's fine, thank you very much. Looking forward to getting back to work."
Today, many of the other dwindling number of working royals were due to be out and about on official visits as they carry on as usual. The King's sister Princess Anne, who is often dubbed his "trusted lieutenant" is to carry out two engagements in Lanarkshire, where she will visit Citizens Advice Scotland as well as Advanced Clothing Solutions in her role as president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward will be in West Bromwich to visit the Shireland City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Academy, while his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, will visit community projects in Surrey.
The outings come as the nature of Kate's condition has not been revealed although Kensington Palace confirmed it was not cancerous. It is serious enough, however, for Prince William to be stepping back temporarily from official duties while his wife is in hospital and in the immediate aftermath while she recovers. A source said of the princess: "She's doing well."
William was understood to be looking after their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on Wednesday evening. The royal youngsters were at school all day and are yet to visit their mother in hospital. The heir to the throne will juggle being at Kate's side with caring for their children and he has postponed a number of engagements.