Photographers caught glimpses of Princess Kate, donning sunglasses, inside a black SUV chauffeured by her mother near the regal backdrop of Windsor Castle. Kensington Palace, the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, declined to provide comments or insights into the newly surfaced images.
The Princess of Wales, formerly known as Kate Middleton, had withdrawn from the public eye post her surgery, prompting widespread speculation and concern about her well-being.
In a statement on Feb. 29, a spokesperson for the princess addressed the mounting curiosity, stating:
“„Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery, and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.- Kate Middleton spokeperson
The last public sighting of Princess Kate was on Christmas Day, just weeks before Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that she had undergone a "planned abdominal surgery" at a London hospital.
“„The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.- Kensington Palace
Expressing regret for the postponement of her scheduled engagements, the palace conveyed her anticipation of reinstating them as soon as possible.
Details surrounding the non-cancerous surgery were scarce, with Kensington Palace merely mentioning a hospital stay of 10 to 14 days. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, visited his wife at the London Clinic on Jan. 18, and Kate was discharged on Jan. 29, marking 13 days post the procedure.
"The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery,"announced a palace spokesperson on Jan. 29. "She is making good progress."
Sources close to the palace suggested a recovery period of two to three months, with Kensington Palace stating that she was "unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."
Speculation about the princess' health reached a crescendo recently when Prince William missed a memorial service for his godfather due to a "personal matter." Further fueling concerns, William walked the BAFTAs red carpet alone on Feb. 18, a departure from their customary joint attendance.
As Prince William toured Wales last Friday, well-wishers seized the opportunity to inquire about Kate's condition. In response, he assured them, "I will pass those on to Catherine, as well,"as a group of children presented him with a bouquet of flowers during a stop in Wrexham, where he shared a beer with actor and Wrexham AFC soccer team co-owner Rob McElhenney.
Kate Middleton is recovering. It was the Princess of Wales' first public appearance since being admitted to the hospital in January for stomach operations. Middleton is shown on Monday riding in the front seat of her mother Carole Middleton's black SUV while donning sunglasses.
The 42-year-old monarch was given treatment for an unidentified, non-cancerous ailment on January 16 at the London Clinic. She was last sighted in public on December 25, when she went to Sandringham Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, for the Christmas morning service alongside her spouse, Prince William, and their children.