A photo of Kate, the Princess of Wales, her first since having surgery on her stomach almost two months ago, was released on Sunday. A statement accompanied it, thanking the public for their support.
The photo, which shows her sitting with her three children, was taken by her husband, William, Prince of Wales and future king, earlier in the week in Windsor.
Kate expressed gratitude on social media, saying, “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.”
There has been a lot of speculation on social media about where she has been since she left the hospital on Jan. 29 after a nearly two-week stay for planned surgery. She had not been seen in public since Christmas Day.
Recently, there has been more attention on the royal family because both Kate and King Charles III are unable to fulfill their usual public responsibilities due to health issues.
Royal officials have stated that Charles is receiving treatment for a type of cancer that was discovered while treating an enlarged prostate. He has canceled all public events during his treatment, although he has been seen walking to church and meeting privately with government officials and dignitaries.
Kate, 42, had surgery on Jan. 16, and the details of her condition and the reason for the surgery have not been disclosed, although Kensington Palace, Prince William, and Kate’s office stated that it was not related to cancer.
Initially, the palace said it would only provide significant updates and that she would not resume her royal duties before Easter, which falls on March 31 this year. They later released a statement last month, amidst rumors and conspiracy theories, confirming that she was doing well and repeating their earlier statement.
“Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates,” the palace stated on Feb. 29. “That guidance stands.”
At the time, royal aides informed The Sun newspaper, “We’ve seen the madness of social media and that is not going to change our strategy. There has been much on social media, but the Princess has a right to privacy and asks the public to respect that.”
Last week, there was confusion when the British military announced that Kate would be attending a Trooping the Color ceremony in June, seemingly without consulting palace officials.
This would have been her first major official duty since the surgery, but Kensington Palace did not confirm any planned public events for Kate. It is the responsibility of palace officials, not government departments, to announce and confirm the attendance of the royals at events.
The military later deleted the mention of her being present.
The British press said that the military did not ask permission from Kensington Palace before releasing information about Kate’s presence in June, and revealed the event assuming that Kate, as the Colonel of the Irish Guards, would review the troops this year during the annual military ceremony.
