The Duchess of Cornwall is all set for a "routine" hysterectomy procedure, but it is not for cancer, according to officials at Clarence House. Camilla is scheduled to have the surgery done in early March, and will be in hospital for several days.

Hysterectomy is a procedure where the womb is partially or completely removed. Some of the main reasons for this surgery include fibroids or "lumps" in the uterus, cancer, and irregular periods.

A spokeswoman revealed that Camilla will go about her public duties before the operation normally, "It is scheduled to enable the Duchess to accompany the Prince of Wales on an important foreign tour to a number of Gulf states," she added.

However she declined to state what the reason was for such a procedure, only saying that it was being done on advice from Camilla's doctor. The Duchess spent today at Chippenham, Wiltshire where she met osteoporosis patients. She was present for the inauguration of a medical center.

However she had canceled two appearances in December and January citing gastro-enteritis.

The Evening Standard newspaper reports that the operation will take place at the private King Edward VII Hospital.

The Royal couple is to visit Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates from 19 to 28 February.