Royal children show mum Kate tender loving care after surgery

The three young royals in direct line to the throne have rallied* around their mum Princess Catherine, who is said to be “on the mend*” as she recovers from an operation last month.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are on their half-term holiday from school this week and are apparently spending the break supporting Catherine at home.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have taken their kids to their countryside retreat*, Anmer Hall in Norfolk*, according to The Sun.

Catherine, 42, underwent abdominal* surgery on January 16 and spent 13 days in recovery at the private London Clinic.

After her hospital stay, Catherine – informally known simply as Kate – returned to the family’s home, Adelaide Cottage in Windsor*, but they relocated to Norfolk last week.

Upon being reunited with her kids, Kate was said to have received “cards and banners and little gifts” from George, Charlotte and Louis.

A friend told the Daily Mail: “Catherine is recovering well. 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.”

Catherine and William often like to take their kids to their 10-bedroom country home in Norfolk in their school holidays.

All three children currently attend Lambrook School* in Berkshire.

Royal editor Ingrid Seward told The Sun: “Kate and William are fortunate enough to have a huge choice for their children’s summer holidays.

“They have their own home, Anmer Hall, which the children call home and keep all their small animals.”

While Catherine is understandably “taking it easy”, there are plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy with Prince William.

“They can take advantage of everything Sandringham has to offer, including wonderful beaches and miles of paths through the estate to ride on ponies or bikes,” Ms Seward said.

“They also have a tennis court and every amenity* they can possibly have, including lots of local friends.”

It is understood that the children stayed in school and did not visit their mum during her hospital stay, but still managed to see her via FaceTime calls.

Ms Seward told People Magazine there was a reason for keeping the kids in their normal routine: “I don’t think she wanted to make more of a big thing of it than it already was,” she said.

Additionally, children are also generally not allowed to visit the London Clinic without permission from the hospital for the safety of the patients.

Now, however, the children were “rallying ‘round in their own way and helping to look after her,” Ms Seward said.

Catherine is unlikely to be seen carrying out any frontline* duties until after Easter.

POLL

GLOSSARY

rallied: to come together to provide support or make a shared effort

on the mend: recovering, improving in health or condition

retreat: a quiet, isolated place that you go to in order to rest or to do things in private

Norfolk: a county in eastern England on the North Sea

abdominal: relating to the abdomen, the lower part of a person’s or animal’s body containing the stomach, bowels, and other organs

Windsor: town in southeastern England, famous for its castle, which has been residence of English monarchs since its founding by William the Conqueror (c. 1028-1087)

Lambrook School: the exclusive Berkshire school has a long association with the royal family. In 1878, two of Queen Victoria’s grandsons, Prince Christian Victor and Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein, were pupils there; all three Wales children now attend the school

amenity: a facility or facilities provided for people’s convenience, enjoyment or comfort

frontline: the most active, responsible and visible positions in a field or activity

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QUICK QUIZ

What is the name of the Wales family’s country retreat and where is it?

What is Catherine, the Princess of Wales, recovering from at present?

What is their family home called and where is it?

What are four activities available to the children while they are at the Sandringham estate?

Did George, Charlotte and Louis visit their mum at the London Clinic and if not, why not?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

1. What’s the royal family’s role?

Do you know what the role of the British royal family is for Australia? Design a poster that will help younger kids understand this connection. Use your research skills to check your understanding.

Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity

Curriculum Links: English, Civics and Citizenship

2. Extension

“People in the royal family, like Princess Catherine, should let the public know all the details when they go to hospital!” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Write paragraphs that will convince your reader that your opinion is correct.

Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity

Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social Capability

VCOP ACTIVITY

Read with Kung Fu punctuation

Pair up with the article between you and stand up to make it easy to demonstrate your Kung Fu punctuation.

Practise reading one sentence at a time. Now read it again, while acting out the punctuation as you read.

Read and act three sentences before swapping with your partner.

Take two turns each.

Now ask your partner to read a sentence out loud while you try and act out the punctuation. Can you keep up? Swap over?

Try acting out two sentences – are you laughing yet?