All About Kate Middleton's Surgery Hospital — and the Other Royals Who Have Been Treated There

Mar. 15, 2025

Kate Middletonis not the first royal patient to check into The London Clinic, where Kensington Palace announced the Princess of Wales had “planned abdominal surgery” earlier this week.

Queen Elizabeth’s uncle theDuke of Windsorhad an eye operation at the clinic in 1960, and Queen Elizabeth’s sisterPrincess Margaretwas treated there to have a benign skin lesion removed in 1980.

Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years, had abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in June 2013 and remained there for 11 days, theBBCreported.

Other famous patients have includedElizabeth Taylor, U.S. PresidentJohn F. Kennedyand British Prime Minister Anthony Eden.

The Duke of Windsor leaves the London Clinic with wife Wallis Simpson in March 1965.PA Images via Getty

PA Images via Getty

King Charlesopened the physiotherapy department when he was the Prince of Wales in 1989, and Princess Margaret unveiled the MRI unit in the radiology dept in 1991. Queen Elizabeth opened the state-of-the-art cancer facility in 2010, and the London Clinic received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2011. The same year, her cousin Alexandra opened the new eye center andQueen Camillaunveiled the intensive care unit in 2017 as the Duchess of Cornwall.

With over 1,000 nurses and a capacity to treat approximately 155 different conditions, the hospital’s website describes their services as being able to “specialize in the care and treatment of complex medical conditions, such as cancer, women’s health, urology and orthopedics, all in a high-quality private setting.”

The medical hub in the Marylebone neighborhood of London has seven main operating theatres, three additional theatres and six specialty wards for surgeries in urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery, orthopedics and spinal procedures, plus clinical nurse specialists for over a dozen different conditions.

Prince Philip leaves the London Clinic in June 2013.Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty

Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty

Offering state-of-the-art technology as part of their treatment services, the London Clinic became the first private hospital in the U.K. to offer robotic surgery for prostate cancer in 2005, one of many “firsts” in its nearly 100-year history. The ICU provides care for critically ill and post-operative patients with 13 patient rooms and modern facilities.

Queen Elizabeth opens the new cancer center at the London Clinic in March 2010.Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty

Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty

“Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us,” says the website, adding: “Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so we have more time for you.”

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Palace sources tell PEOPLE that the Princess of Wales, 42, is “doing well” after having surgery at the London Clinic on Tuesday. Kensington Palace announced that Kate had had surgery in a statement released Wednesday, which said it was a success. PEOPLE understands that the issue was non-cancerous.

“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” the statement said in part. “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as muchnormality for her childrenas possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.”

Prince Williamwasseen leavingthe London Clinic on Thursday during what the palace said would be a 10 to 14-day stay before going home to continue her recovery.

source: people.com