Royals Kate Middleton Leaves Windsor for First Time Post-Surgery to Join William and Kids at Country Home "She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk," a source said of the royal By Brenton Blanchet Brenton Blanchet Brenton Blanchet is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. He has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. Brenton's work has previously appeared in Billboard, Pigeons & Planes and Complex. People Editorial Guidelines and Simon Perry Simon Perry Simon Perry is a writer and correspondent at PEOPLE. He has more than 25 years’ experience at PEOPLE covering the royals, human interest and celebrity. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 10, 2024 11:05AM EST Kate Middleton. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Kate Middleton has left Windsor Castle for the first time since last month's "successful" abdominal surgery. The Princess of Wales, 42, is now expected to spend time at Anmer Hall, her and Prince William's home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, while their children are on a school half-term break, PEOPLE understands. (The pair share three kids: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.) The Daily Mail reported on Friday that Kate joined her family in Norfolk after spending some time post-surgery at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. "Catherine is recovering well," a source told the outlet. "She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William." The couple's travels will now bring them closer to King Charles, who is staying at Sandringham after returning there on Tuesday amid his cancer diagnosis. Prince William and Kate Middleton seen at Daystar Evangelical Church on March 26, 2022. Samir Hussein - Pool/WireImage Kate Middleton Hospitalized After Abdominal Surgery, Cancels All Engagements Until Easter Last month, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales underwent a "planned abdominal surgery" at The London Clinic and "is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter." "The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery," a statement continued at the time. "She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private," the statement added. "Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share." PEOPLE understands that the issue was non-cancerous. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Prince William and Kate Middleton. Samir Hussein/WireImage Elsewhere, Prince William, 41, is bringing on new personnel at Kensington Palace, as he has appointed a former diplomat as his private secretary, PEOPLE can confirm. The Prince of Wales has hired Ian Patrick — who has previously worked as a geopolitical consultant for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office — for the position. The appointment comes just days after Prince William made his first public engagement following Kate Middleton's 13-day hospital stay. The Daily Telegraph was first to report the news.