Gary Goldsmith has been opening up about the royal family this week, during his first few days on Celebrity Big Brother.

But ITV viewers might have been surprised to hear him give a health update on his niece, the Princess of Wales on last night’s episode (March 6).

Kate Middleton received abdominal surgery in January this year, but speculation of her whereabouts has been growing on social media since she left The London Clinic on January 29 – 14 days after her procedure.

Gary, who is the younger brother of Kate’s mother Carole Middleton, spoke about the princess to fellow housemates on Wednesday.

He said Kate is getting the “best care in the world” but he cannot talk more about her wellbeing due to a “code of etiquette”.

During a conversation, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu asked Gary: “Where’s Kate?”

He replied: “Because she doesn’t want to talk about… the last thing I’m going to do is… there’s a kind of code of etiquette. If it’s announced, I’ll give you an opinion.

“I spoke to her mum, my sister, she’s getting the best care in the world.

“And all the family’s done is put the wagons round and look after family first before anything else. They put a statement out and just said, ‘She’s taking some time to (recuperate) and will see you in Easter’.”

Elsewhere in the episode, Gary was also nominated to be evicted by X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne after she shortlisted him with two other housemates who she felt had made the “worst first impression”.

She teamed up with former X Factor co-star Louis Walsh for the challenge and orignally chose Gary along with ITV2 Ibiza Weekender star David Potts and TV presenter Zeze Millz.

Prince William breaks silence on Kate Middleton’s health speculation

Kate was seen for the first time in public since her surgery earlier this week, pictured near Windsor Castle on Monday (March 4) in the passenger seat of a car, according to TMZ.

The image which began circulating on social media showed she was wearing dark sunglasses in the black Audi which was being driven by her mother, Carole.

The photo is understood to have been taken by unauthorised paparazzi.

But amid all the rumours, a spokesman for the Prince of Wales told People magazine: "His focus is on his work and not on social media."

The Northern Echo: Gary Goldsmith is the younger brother of Kate Middleton's motherGary Goldsmith is the younger brother of Kate Middleton's mother (Image: Aaron Chown/PA)

Details of the princess’s condition have not been revealed but Kensington Palace said previously it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

She is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

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William temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children.

He carried out his first public engagements since her surgery in early February.

Celebrity Big Brother continues on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 9pm tonight (March 7).