Britain's King Charles leaves hospital after prostate treatment

A few hours earlier, his daughter-in-law Kate also headed home after spending two weeks at the same hospital following abdominal surgery

Sarah Young, Reuters

Britain's King Charles and his daughter-in-law Kate, the Princess of Wales, both returned home from hospital on Monday after undergoing planned treatments.

Charles, 75, who had spent three nights in hospital after undergoing a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate, smiled and waved to crowds as he left the London Clinic accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla.

A few hours earlier, Kate also headed home after spending two weeks at the same private hospital following abdominal surgery.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement that Charles, who was visited in hospital by Camilla each day of his stay, wanted to thank his medical team and all those who had supported his hospital visit.

"The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation," Buckingham Palace said.

Kate, 42, the wife of heir to the British throne Prince William, was making "good progress", her Kensington Palace office said, and she was now back at home in Windsor.

She had surgery for a non-specified, but non-cancerous, condition at the London Clinic earlier in January.

Britain's royals usually regard all medical issues as a private matter, but Charles chose to publicise his condition to encourage other men to have medical checks.

His need for the procedure to treat an enlarged prostate, a benign condition common among men over 50, was announced by Buckingham Palace on Jan 17.

The state-run National Health Service said there had been a 1,000% increase in visits to its webpage giving advice on prostate enlargement since Charles' diagnosis was revealed.

Kate is not due to return to public duties until after Easter. Prince William has postponed his engagements to look after their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.