Kate Middleton, wife of the heir apparent to the British throne, was spotted in public for the first time since having abdominal surgery as the public continues to speculate on her condition.
The Princess of Wales was seen riding in a car with her mother, Carole Middleton, near Windsor Castle on Monday. The unauthorized photo started making the rounds online as wild rumors about the princess persist. Kate has not been seen in public since Christmas Day.
In mid-January, Kensington Palace released a statement saying Kate had underwent an unspecified abdominal surgery and would be taking a break from public duties to recover until after Easter. Reps for the British royal did not elaborate on the duchess’ condition other than to say it was not cancer-related.
The palace announced Kate was released from the hospital on January 29, saying she would continue her recovery at home.
Despite the updates, many onlookers wondered if Kate was seriously injured or if she had undergone cosmetic surgery. These speculations persisted after Prince William did not attend the memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, in February. The Prince of Wales blamed his absence on “a personal matter.”
“We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant,” a rep for the Princess of Wales said in a late February statement, as The Daily Wire previously reported.
This was almost identical to a similar statement released in January. “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate,” the previous statement said. “She hopes that 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.”
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It continued, “Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”
The Princess of Wales’ medical procedure coincided with King Charles III undergoing prostate surgery, which led to him receiving a cancer diagnosis. He is also taking a break from public duties as he proceeds with cancer treatments.
Katie Jerkovich contributed to this report.