Princess of Wales is seen for the first time since her abdominal surgery: Photos of Kate being driven home from the school run by mother Carole are published in US – in new sign her recovery is progressing

The Princess of Wales has been photographed for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery in January – after a US website published photos of her being driven around by her mother near Windsor.

Until today, Kate had not been seen in public since attending the church service at Sandringham on Christmas Day with William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis.

Kensington Palace insisted last week that she is still “doing well” but is unlikely to return to official royal engagements until after Easter.

US website TMZ has published photos of Kate wearing sunglasses in the passenger seat of a 4×4 Audi that her mother Carole Middleton was driving near Windsor Castle.

The photos were taken shortly before 9am, indicating the mother and daughter were returning from the school run.

It comes after it was claimed last night that Kate’s ‘black sheep’ uncle Gary Goldsmith, Carole’s brother, was verbally abused by the princess’s parents after he reportedly signed up to Celebrity Big Brother amid fears he was spilling secrets about the royal family could reveal.

Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her children almost two weeks after the operation.

Princess Kate attended the service with Prince William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis

She had been admitted to the London Clinic – the same private hospital where King Charles was treated for an enlarged prostate – for a planned operation on January 16.

William temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children, but last week carried out assignments in Wrexham and at a synagogue in London.

While in Wrexham, the Prince of Wales was asked, “William, how is Catherine?”

William did not respond to the question as he walked into Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground last Friday during a St David’s Day outing.

As he walked into the stadium, the heir to the throne was asked by another fan: “Can I please have a selfie?” – but said: ‘Can I say hello to the team? I will come back.’

He also thanked Welsh schoolchildren for giving Kate a bouquet of flowers.

Last Tuesday, William pulled out of a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle due to an unspecified “personal matter.”

In the latest statement on Kate, a royal spokesperson said last week: ‘Kensington Palace made the timelines of the Princess’ recovery clear in January and we would only provide important updates. That leadership remains in place.’

Last night, sources told The Sun that Kate’s uncle had read Carole’s ‘riot act’ over his rumored appearance on Big Brother tonight.

William also thanked Welsh schoolchildren for giving him a bouquet of flowers for Kate last week

Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her children almost two weeks after the operation. Pictured: Kate and William in September 2022

Officials have said the Princess of Wales (pictured on December 5) continues to do ‘well’. Kate plans to return to royal engagements after Easter

An insider said: ‘Gary said he was read the riot act by Kate’s mother Carole and her father Michael.

‘They’re not happy he’s going to Celebrity Big Brother. It’s infuriating for them. Kate doesn’t need this stress.’

Last month, William thanked the audience for their “kind messages of support” as he spoke about Kate and the king’s cancer diagnosis at an event in London.

William’s words of praise, delivered at a fundraising dinner, were in recognition of those who wished Kate well. He told the guests, “It means a lot to all of us.”

It is understood that Kate’s return to official duties will soon depend on medical advice.

The exact details of the princess’ condition have not been revealed, but the palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

News of the Princess’s operation was announced by Kensington Palace on January 17, with Buckingham Palace causing a double royal health scare 90 minutes later when it was revealed the King would be treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate.

Kate is currently under the careful supervision of royal doctors and benefits from the aftercare provided by the London Clinic, with dedicated physiotherapists who have a personalized plan ready for her and a video check-up at home with a nurse specialist.

NHS advice on recovery from abdominal surgery says that after major surgery with a large incision it will take two to three months before you can move comfortably.

William at the Baftas in London on February 18 before suddenly withdrawing from the monument to his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece, for an unspecified ‘personal reason’

The King has been seen attending church at Sandringham every Sunday, but public duties have been suspended

The family live at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor’s Home Park and are supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, are also said to be active in helping the Waleses through this period while the princess recovers.

Aides had previously insisted that Kate would be out of sight until after Easter, but she is likely working behind the scenes on her early years projects.

With Charles absent from public duties, Camilla has risen to key royal appearances – leading the royal family in service to King Constantine last week.

This year there was a sudden shortage of frontline royals after Charles and Kate both went to hospital around the same time.

And the family’s health problems have led William to shoulder more of the burden of his public duties, while at the same time supporting Kate and helping care for their children.

Charles was admitted for surgery for a benign prostate condition, but was subsequently diagnosed with an unrelated cancer. The monarch has withdrawn from public duties while he undergoes treatment.