As the Princess of Wales continues to recover from abdominal surgery in a London hospital, Prince William has also cleared his diary to be at his wife’s side during her recuperation period

As the Princess of Wales continues her recovery after her bombshell cancer announcement earlier this year she can count on husband Prince William to be by her side.

William and Kate celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary this year and have known each other for more than 20 years after meeting as students at St Andrews University. The pair had massively different upbringings with William born into royalty while Kate enjoyed a relatively normal middle-class childhood.

Kate has shared several poignant statements about her diagnosis and treatment and has even bravely returned to public life on two occasions – the first Trooping The Colour in June and the second at the Wimbledon men’s final earlier this month. Both times she was greeted with rapturous applause from royal fans. William has also give updates on his wife’s recovery at public engagements.

So when she agreed to marry William after he popped the question during a romantic trip to Kenya, she would have known it would be life-changing in more than one way. And to prove his love for his future wife, at the time he is said to have made a personal vow to Kate’s parents Carole and Michael – he would take care of her.

According to the Daily Mail’s royal correspondent Rebecca English: “He, more than anyone, knew the personal sacrifices she was making to be with the man she loved.” And given Kate’s current health struggle, she added: “It’s why I know he will bend heaven and earth to be at her side now and do the best for their little family. However long it takes.”

The family live in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor’s Home Park and will also be supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. Kate’s family including her parents and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are also expected to be hands-on in helping the Waleses navigate the next few months as the princess recovers.