Duchess of York Has Breast Cancer Surgery

Sarah, the Duchess of York, underwent surgery after being diagnosed with breast cancer, according to a spokesperson. The 63-year-old was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer following a routine mammogram, the AP reports. The surgery was a success and Sarah's prognosis is good, the duchess' spokesperson said. She was released from King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Sunday to recuperate at home in Windsor. The former Sarah Ferguson had been symptom-free prior to her diagnosis and "believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening," her spokesperson says in a statement cited by the BBC.

"The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family," the spokesperson says, per CBS News. "The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days." Sarah, the former wife of Prince Andrew and the mother of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, spoke about the diagnosis on her new podcast, "Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah," set to be released Monday. She recorded the segment before her operation. Once a favorite target of Britain's tabloids, the duchess has previously published her memoirs and authored a number of children's books as well as a historical romance for adults.

(More Sarah Ferguson stories.)