Princess Kate's uncle defends reality TV appearance: 'I absolutely adore my family'

In the meantime, her uncle, Gary Goldsmith, has ventured into reality TV.

The 58-year-old businessman has joined this year's series of Celebrity Big Brother, alongside people like Love Island star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and the former X Factor judge, Louis Walsh.

​Fern Britton, 66, told Goldsmith during the opening episode that she believed Kate's uncle was "brave" by appearing on the show.

He responded by saying: "I absolutely adore my family."

Elsewhere during the show, host AJ Odudu asked Goldsmith if his niece, Kate, 42, would be watching Celebrity Big Brother from home.

Goldsmith responded: "If she is sitting behind a sofa, yes!"

He added: "It'll be a nice one in a nice house somewhere, I can guarantee that!"

Goldsmith has previously said Kate is "the most spectacular person I've ever met".

His appearance on reality TV comes as Princess Kate, 42, underwent "planned abdominal surgery" in January.

The Princess of Wales is not returning to royal duties until at least after Easter, according to Kensington Palace.

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The Palace reiterated its original statement last week, saying: “We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant.”

Kate was treated at The London Clinic on January 16, the same hospital where King Charles later underwent surgery for an enlarged prostate.

The Princess of Wales is understood to have returned to Adelaide Cottage, where she is resting before returning to duties.

She lives in the Windsor cottage with her husband, Prince William, and their three children.