The Duchess of Cornwall is ‘on the mend’ after her abdominal surgery last month and was able to join Prince William and their children for half-term in Sandringham, it has been reported. It is the first time Kate, 42, has left Windsor after returning to Adelaide Cottage, the family’s four-bedroom home, following her hospital stay which lasted nearly two weeks.

Kensington Palace has only issued one update on the future queen’s health, saying on January 17 that she is ‘making good progress’ and that the Wales’ ‘continue to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world’.

A friend of the duchess has now revealed she is ‘recovering well’. They told the Daily Mail: ‘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.’

Kate and William took their children George, Charlotte and Louis to Sandringham on Friday and could stay there for the children’s February half-term next week, possibly paying a visit to the King following his cancer diagnosis.