Not even Kate Middleton’s closest advisers knew she was going under the knife

Kate Middleton is “thrilled” to be home with her children — after even her closest staff were kept in the dark about her major abdominal surgery.

The Princess of Wales, 42, returned home to Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate Monday after two weeks in the hospital.

Even her closest aides did not know what exactly was wrong, sources told Page Six is told, as she and Prince William wanted to protect her privacy.

Their children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, did not visit their mother at the London Clinic but are believed to have FaceTimed with her during the stay.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said Monday that the royal “is making good progress.”

The Princess of Wales is said to be extremely glad to get home.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to personally pick up their children from school most every day. Getty Images William arrives at the London Clinic to visit his wife during her 14-day stint in the hospital after major abdominal surgery. Mirrorpix / MEGA

“But for a twist of fate and meeting William, friends often comment she’d likely have preferred a quieter countryside life,” said a source. “Family and bringing up her children is the most important thing to her.”

While life in royal palaces includes kitchen and staff floors below the living areas, Kate and William have always done things differently, even cooking and sharing family meals together in their own kitchen, Page Six is told. Kate is said to make a great curry and a “mean” steak, according to William, while, when they were dating, the prince would attempt to whip up fancy dishes that often ended up in smoke.

“Kate and William do the school run and make sure one of them picks up the kids,” the source said.

Kate was last seen on Christmas Day with her family: daughter Charlotte, sons George and Louis, and cousin Mia Tindall, as well as Prince William. Even her closest aides did not know the full truth of Kate’s health issues, Page Six is told. Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com

Kate famously did not join her husband in Scotland when his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, died in September 2022.

Instead, she stayed back to be with the children, as it was their first day of school. All three of the young Waleses attend Lambrook school, just 10 minutes away from home.

Last fall, Kate also missed a trip to Singapore with William for the Earthshot Prize to be with George as he prepared for exams.

The Waleses moved into Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park in September 2022. Royal Collection

We are told the princess still has a long recovery ahead of her.

She won’t return to public life until after Easter, and William has scaled back work commitments to help out with the children.

The couple also have the help of their longtime nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo. Kate’s parents, Carole and Mike Middleton, live nearby, as do her sister Pippa and brother Matthew.

Natasha Archer, Kate’s longtime personal assistant, was seen leaving the London Clinic with a car full of flowers and gifts after Kate was discharged Monday. SWNS

As Page Six previously reported, Kate may speak out in due course about the exact nature of her surgery.

She left the hospital just hours before King Charles exited the same medical center after undergoing a prostate procedure.