Kensington Palace confirms major surgeries for two senior Royals

The British Royal family will have to rely on key senior members to take over several duties, with revelations this morning of major surgeries for both King Charles III and Princess Kate.

The Princess of Wales is in hospital recovering after abdominal surgery and will not return to royal duties until April, while the King is headed to hospital next week for treatment for a benign prostate condition.

The Telegraph Associate Editor, Camilla Tominey told Today not a lot has been revealed about why Kate needed surgery, but the princess may choose to reveal more once she has recovered.

READ MORE: Elton John achieves EGOT status after Emmy win

"It was a shock announcement and nobody was expecting it," she said.

"It was the length of time of recovery which has surprised people here, 10 to 14 days suggests that she's had major surgery and not just that, but that she will continue to recuperate, the Royals say, until probably after Easter."

While the Palace confirmed Kate's surgery was a planned procedure, her husband Prince William will also be stepping back from official duties to help her recuperate.

"It's really, in many respects, none of our business exactly what she's had done, but in the fullness of time, she may want to speak about it more," Camilla said.

"She might want to raise awareness of what she's been going through over the course of the last weeks, and months, but for now, they're keeping quiet and are obviously and understandably asking everyone to respect their privacy."

READ MORE: Artist's bin chicken prank gets surprise reaction from Brisbane brewery

Camilla said just 90 minutes after the Palace released a statement confirming Kate's surgery, it was also confirmed the King will undergo a procedure on an enlarged prostate next week.

"Obviously at times when we hear about men in their 70s and prostates, we worry about cancer, but that's been ruled out by the palace," she said.

"He too will have to step back from public life for a period while he recuperates - but again, we're talking about the King, the Prince and Princess of Wales, three of the four most senior royals in the monarchy being out of action for a number of weeks."

See what else Camilla had to say in the video above