Kate Middleton is not the first royal patient to check into the London clinic, where Kensington Palace announced earlier this week that the Princess of Wales was “planned for abdominal surgery”.
The London Clinic is the largest independent, private hospital in the United Kingdom and was opened by Queen Elizabeth’s parents, King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, when they were known as the Duke and Duchess of York in 1932. A group of leading medical experts came together to plan a new facility to the highest specification for medical and building standards, and since then there have been various royal connections to the facility.
Queen Elizabeth’s uncle, the Duke of Windsor, had eye surgery at the clinic in 1960, and Queen Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret, was treated there to have a benign skin lesion removed in 1980.
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years, had abdominal surgery at a London clinic in June 2013 and stayed there for 11 days, the BBC reported.
Other famous patients include Elizabeth Taylor, US President John F. Kennedy and British Prime Minister Anthony Eden.
The Duke of Windsor leaves a London clinic with his wife Wallis Simpson in March 1965.
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A complete timeline of Kate Middleton’s abdominal surgery and recovery
Over the years, members of the royal family have supported the work of the hospital, which is also a registered charity, by opening new wards.
King Charles opened a physiotherapy department when he was Prince of Wales in 1989, and Princess Margaret unveiled an MRI unit in the radiology department in 1991. Queen Elizabeth opened a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility in 2010, and the London Clinic received a Queen’s Award for international trade entrepreneurship in 2011. In the same year, her cousin Alexandra opened a new eye center and Queen Camilla unveiled the intensive care unit in 2017 as the Duchess of Cornwall.
With more than 1,000 nurses and the capacity to treat approximately 155 different conditions, the hospital’s website describes their services as “specializing in the care and treatment of complex medical conditions, such as cancer, women’s health, urology and orthopedics, all in a private, high-quality environment qualities.”
The medical center in London’s Marylebone district has seven main operating theatres, three ancillary theaters and six specialist surgical departments in urology, gynaecology, thoracic surgery, orthopedics and spinal procedures, plus clinical nurse specialists for more than a dozen different conditions.
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Prince Philip leaves the London Clinic in June 2013.
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Prince William is visiting Kate Middleton in hospital after abdominal surgery, he will spend as much time as possible
Offering state-of-the-art technology as part of its treatment services, the London clinic became the first private hospital in the UK to offer robotic prostate cancer surgery 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.
Award-winning chef Paul O’Brien works with nutritionists to offer personalized menus. Meat is sourced from Smithfield Meat Market, sustainable fish is sourced from Billingsgate and more. In 2021, the Craft Guild named Chef O’Brien among 44 “Culinary Heroes” for his community service during the pandemic. “The food was amazing, varied menu and delicious options (the lobster bisque was excellent!)” said one former patient via Google Reviews.
Visitors can visit the on-site cafe; Devonshire Coffee Shop for handmade sandwiches from Soho Sandwich Company, cakes from Paul Rhodes Bakery and Lavazza coffee.
Renowned for its superior service, the clinic also offers an extensive concierge service with staff able to arrange theater tickets, chauffeurs, book private charters and even arrange post-surgery serviced apartments for patients to recover nearby.
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Queen Elizabeth opens a new cancer center at the London Clinic in March 2010.
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All rooms have a private bathroom with complimentary Molton Brown toiletries and towels that are changed daily. All rooms have electronically controlled pull-out beds, HD TV, telephones, radios and air conditioners.
“Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us,” the website says, adding, “Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to caring for a very small number of patients, so we have more time for you.”
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Visitors are allowed until 9:30 p.m., but children are not allowed except by special request that must be approved by the managers.
Palace sources told PEOPLE that the Princess of Wales, 42, is “doing well” after undergoing surgery at a London clinic on Tuesday. Kensington Palace announced that Kate had undergone surgery in a statement released on Wednesday, which said the operation was a success. PEOPLE realize that the problem was not cancer.
“Based on current medical advice, he is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” the statement said. “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children; and her desire to keep her personal medical information private.”
Prince William was seen leaving a London clinic on Thursday during what the palace said was a 10- to 14-day stay before going home to continue his recovery.
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Source: HIS Education