Prince William is 'putting his family first' as Princess Kate continues her recovery from abdominal operation

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Prince William is putting his family first as the Princess of Wales continues to recover from abdominal surgery, a royal commentator has said.

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Hannah Ross

By Hannah Ross


Published: 02/03/2024

- 19:30

A royal correspondent spoke exclusively with GB News about Prince William’s absence from a memorial service this week

  • Prince William missed a memorial service for ‘personal reasons’
  • A Greek royal took William’s place to do a reading at King Constantine’s memorial
  • No reasons or details were given as to why William pulled out at the last minute

Prince William is putting his family first as the Princess of Wales continues to recover from abdominal surgery, a royal commentator has said.

The Prince of Wales pulled out of attending a royal memorial service on Tuesday at the last minute but did return to public duties on Thursday.


Prince William missed the memorial service for the late King of Greece for "personal reasons".

However, royal commentator Gertrude Daly told GB News that William's absence did not affect the event as a Greek royal took his place to do a reading at the service.

Prince William

Prince William missed the memorial service for the late King of Greece for "personal reasons".

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Kensington Palace were quick to announce that the Princess of Wales was “doing well” in her recovery following William's absence.

Speaking to GB News, Daly said: “I think this Service of Thanksgiving was something you could miss.

“There were plenty of family members there to represent the British Royal Family and Crown Prince Pavlos was able to do the reading in Prince William’s place.

“So, William’s absence had little effect on the event.”

Prince William
  • A Greek royal took William’s place to do a reading at King Constantine’s memorial
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Daly also expressed that she was not “too worried” about William’s absence from the event as the palace only described the absence as a ‘personal reason.’

She said: “Royals are humans like the rest of us and sometimes personal things come up that prevent us from attending events.

“We know William’s absence was not about an issue with Kate’s health. And William seemed fine during his engagements on Thursday. So, I am not too worried.”

The prince returned to royal duties Thursday to speak with young people and holocaust survivors about the rise in anti-Semitism.

Princess Anne and Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla led the service for King Constantine

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Prince William

Prince William returned to royal duties on Thursday in London

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Dale also commented that the Greek Royal Family would be understanding towards William’s situation.

She said: “We know Prince William spoke to the Greek Royal Family ahead of time to explain his absence.

“I think they would be fully understanding and supportive of William needing to cancel. Sometimes family needs to come first.”

Members of the Greek Royal Family were also missing from the service including the heir to the royal house, Prince Constantine-Alexios, and another godson to the King, Prince Constantine of the Netherlands.

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