King Charles, William and Kate's unexpected void must be filled to prevent a royal crisis - analysis by Cameron Walker

The first half of this week was relatively quiet on the royal front and I questioned why, considering the Wales children were now back at school, no royal engagements were scheduled for The Prince and Princess of Wales.

Then on Wednesday afternoon, I received word that The Princess had been admitted to hospital for what appeared to be pretty major surgery.

The fact the surgery was "planned" suggests Her Royal Highness' treatment was not being classed as an emergency, but the relatively long hospital recovery time (10-14 days) suggests very significant surgery.

I have been assured, however, that Her Royal Highness' condition is non-cancerous.

I understand The Princess is also expected to spend months at home in Windsor recovering, meaning we're unlikely to see her carrying out official duties until after Easter.

Yesterday, The Prince of Wales was pictured leaving The London Clinic, having been by his wife's side in the morning.

Prince William is expected to split his time between his wife in hospital, and at home with his children as a full-time working dad.

Prince George (10), Princess Charlotte (8) and Prince Louis (5) have all been attending school as normal this week, and have not yet visited their mother in hospital.

Given the circumstances, the Prince of Wales has also decided to postpone official engagements while his wife recovers at the hospital, and for a short period of time at home too.

The reported official visit to Italy this Spring has, as I understand it, also been put on hold.

This shows the future King is putting his family first and postponing his official duties and engagements as heir to the throne.

The Prince is in a privileged position to be able to do this; many fathers across the country would have had to continue to go to work and earn a living.

William is also expected to be supported by staff, including longtime nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

But perhaps any father in the future King's position would, given the chance, choose to prioritise his family's health and wellbeing.

The Princess' medical details will remain private, and it's thought Prince William does not want the public or the media camped outside the hospital for the next fortnight - partly to ensure his children have privacy.

Prince William will also appreciate he and Catherine are partly funded by the State and, therefore, there is a warranted public interest in her condition.

Just an hour and a half after Kensington Palace's statement on Wednesday, Buckingham Palace released an unexpected notice of their own - telling the world the King had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.

Yesterday, The Queen said her husband was "fine" and "looking forward to getting back to work".

It is incredibly rare for a member of the Royal Family to disclose such private medical details, but I understand His Majesty wanted to make his condition public to encourage other men, who may be experiencing symptoms, to seek medical advice.

One in every three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate including needing to visit the toilet more frequently, with more urgency and having difficulty emptying their bladder.

Since the 75-year-old monarch's announcement, the NHS website's prostate enlargement page received more than 11 times more visits on Wednesday compared to Tuesday - an average of one visit every five seconds.

It appears the King could be helping thousands of men to seek advice and treatment, who otherwise would not have done.

Despite His Majesty's planned treatment being relatively routine, it does mean we are going to have three senior members of the Royal Family out of action for weeks.

This just leaves Queen Camilla, and less senior members of the working Royal Family to carry out official duties.

Most working royals are well into their 70's and 80's, apart from the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The Duke of Edinburgh turns 60 this year and his wife, Sophie, celebrates her 59th birthday tomorrow.

The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra have appeared increasingly frail in recent years, and are rarely seen carrying out official engagements.

In contrast, the relatively spritely Duke and Duchess of Sussex stopped being working royals in 2020 and moved to California.

The Duke of York was forced to step down a year earlier in disgrace, and the Wales children are still at least a decade away from becoming working royals.

It appears the working Royal Family has unexpectedly become short-staffed, so how will this affect the day-to-day running of the country?

I understand the King will not require any Counsellors of State to deputise on his behalf, following his hospital stay.

His Majesty is expected to still be able to work through his red boxes, reading official government documents and signing state papers.

In 2022, the King asked for his working siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, to be added to the list of Counsellors of State who could be called upon to deputise on his behalf.

Usually, Counsellors of State are the monarch's spouse (Camilla), and the four most senior royals in the line of succession over the age of 21 (Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice).

It is now incredibly unlikely Prince Harry, Prince Andrew or Princess Beatrice will have to carry out official state business, due to the Princess Royal and Duke of Edinburgh's elevated status.

But with most working royals well above retirement age, and the future King and Queen both out of action for some time, who will fill their shoes?