Kensington Palace releases first picture of Kate since surgery: Princess of Wales thanks the public for their support in Mother’s Day message as she recovers
Kensington Palace has released the first photo of Kate since her operation, as the Princess of Wales thanked the public for their support in a Mother’s Day message as she continues to recover.
Princess Kate, 42, was seen beaming with her three children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, in a photo taken by her husband, Prince William.
‘Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the past two months. I wish everyone a happy Mother’s Day,” said the Princess of Wales, ending the message with a ‘C’ for Catherine.
Kate has stepped back from her royal duties since being admitted to the London Clinic on January 16 for ‘planned abdominal surgery’.
The mother-of-three’s absence from royal engagements since the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham has sparked huge speculation on social media – but the positive Mother’s Day update will be welcomed by royal fans.
Kensington Palace confirmed that Kate’s operation was successful and on January 29, she returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her children almost two weeks after the operation.
Kensington Palace has released the first photo of Kate since her surgery, as the Princess of Wales thanked the public for their support in a Mother’s Day message as she continues to recover
William has stepped up royal duties in Kate’s absence. Pictured: Prince William and Princess Kate are seen during a ceremonial welcome for the President and First Lady of the Republic of Korea during the Horse Guards Parade on November 21 last year.
The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham
Last Monday she was photographed for the first time since the medical procedure after US gossip website TMZ published photos of her being driven through Windsor with her mother, Carole Middleton.
Mrs Middleton’s brother – and Kate’s uncle – Gary Goldsmith subsequently revealed on Celebrity Big Brother that her niece was receiving the ‘best care in the world’.
Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu asked Goldsmith in Wednesday’s episode: “Where’s Kate?”
He replied, “Because she doesn’t want to talk about… The last thing I’m going to do is… there’s some kind of code of etiquette. When it’s announced, I’ll give you an opinion.’
Kate’s ‘black sheep’ uncle added: ‘I spoke to her mother, my sister, she is getting the best care in the world.
“And all the family has done is move the wagons around and take care of the family first. They made a statement saying only, “She is taking time to recover and will see you at Easter.”
After Kate was photographed in the paparazzi on Monday, the Ministry of Defense was forced to remove a claim on its website that the Princess of Wales would attend the Trooping the Colour.
Tickets had gone on sale via the army website advertising Kate’s first review of a ‘practice parade’ in her role as honorary colonel of the Irish Guards on June 8.
It was also announced that King Charles, 75, would host his own official birthday parade on June 15 at Horse Guards.
But within minutes of the tickets going on sale, there were warnings that the Ministry of Defense may have ‘jumped the gun’.
Kensington Palace sources clarified that they had ‘not been consulted’ about the MoD announcement and said any confirmed presence of the Princess would be ‘only’ by themselves.
Princess Kate attended the service with Prince William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis
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
Buckingham Palace confirmed that planning for future engagements was continuing despite the King’s ongoing cancer treatment, but stressed that changes could be made over time depending on his health.
He is conducting a very limited number of in-person appointments and certainly not anything with large crowds, per the advice of doctors.
The confusion has increased the sense of unease surrounding the royal family, with two of its oldest members largely out of action for significant periods.
Insiders have said, given the profile of the occasions, it is likely that both the monarch and his daughter-in-law will do everything in their power to attend.
On Friday, the Prince of Wales visited the Oval cricket ground as he continued to carry out his duties while his wife and father recovered.
But his absence from his godfather’s memorial service at Windsor Castle last month due to a “personal matter” led to mounting speculation about his wife’s health.
The Palace has said that based on current medical advice, it is unlikely that she will resume her public duties until after Easter.
A spokesperson stated that it was Kate’s personal wish to keep her personal medical information private and said an update would only be provided if there was “significant new information to share.”
William juggles royal duties with supporting Kate and helping care for George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five.
Queen Camilla has led the royals at other events amid a downsized monarchy, with Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie also helping.