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 by her mother near Windsor.
Until today, Kate had not been seen in public since attending the Sandringham church service on Christmas Day with William and her children George, Charlotte and Louis.
Kensington Palace insisted last week that he was still “well” but was unlikely to return to official royal engagements until after Easter.
US website TMZ has published photographs of Kate wearing sunglasses in the passenger seat of an Audi 4×4 driven by her mother Carole Middleton near Windsor Castle.
The photographs were taken shortly before 9am, suggesting 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 scolded by the princess’s parents after allegedly signing up for Celebrity Big Brother amid fears of that could reveal secrets about the Royal Family.
Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to join her children almost two weeks after surgery.
The Princess of Wales has not been photographed since attending the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
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 an operation scheduled for January 16.
William temporarily stepped away from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children, but held engagements in Wrexham and at a synagogue in London last week.
While in Wrexham, the Prince of Wales was asked: “William, how is Catherine?”
William did not answer the question as he walked towards Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground during a trip to mark St David’s Day last Friday.
As he headed to the stadium, another fan asked the heir to the throne: “Can I take a selfie please?” -but he said: ‘Can I say hello to the team? I will return.’
He also thanked the Welsh schoolchildren for giving him a bouquet of flowers for Kate.
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 about Kate, a royal spokesperson said last week: “Kensington Palace made the timelines for the princess’s recovery clear in January and we would only provide significant updates.” That orientation remains.”
Last night, sources told The Sun that Carole ‘read the riot card’ to Kate’s uncle over her rumored appearance on Big Brother tonight.
William also thanked Welsh schoolchildren for giving Kate a bouquet of flowers last week.
Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to join her children almost two weeks after surgery. In the photo: 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
A source said: ‘Gary said Kate’s mother Carole and father Michael read him the riot card.
‘They’re not happy that I’m going on Celebrity Big Brother. They find it exasperating. Kate doesn’t need this stress.
Last month, William thanked the public for their “kind messages of support” while speaking at an event in London about Kate and the King’s cancer diagnosis.
William’s words of praise, delivered during a fundraising dinner, recognized those who wished Kate well. He told guests: “It means a lot to all of us.”
It is understood Kate’s return to official duties will depend on forthcoming medical advice.
Exact details of the princess’s condition have not been revealed, but the Palace previously said it was not related to cancer and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.
News of the princess’ surgery was announced by Kensington Palace on January 17, and Buckingham Palace caused a double royal health scare 90 minutes later when it revealed that the King was to be treated in hospital for enlarged the prostate.
Kate is currently under the close supervision of royal doctors and benefits from London Clinic aftercare, with dedicated physiotherapists available with a personalized plan and a home video check-up with a specialist nurse available.
NHS advice on recovering from abdominal surgery says that after a major operation with a large incision, it takes two to three months to be able to move around comfortably.
William at the Baftas in London on February 18 before suddenly leaving the monument to his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece, for an unspecified “personal reason.”
The King has been seen at Sandringham going to church every Sunday, but public duties have been suspended.
The family lives at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor’s Home Park and is supported by their staff, including loyal and veteran nanny María Teresa Turrión Borrallo.
It is also believed that Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and her siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, will be pitching in at this time to help the Welsh get through this period while the princess recovers.
Aides previously insisted Kate would be out of sight until after Easter, but she is likely to be working behind the scenes on her early years projects.
In Charles’ absence from public duties, Camilla has become the most senior royal figure at engagements and led the Royal Family in service for King Constantine last week.
There has been a sudden shortage of senior royals this year after Charles and Kate were hospitalized around the same time.
And the family’s health problems have left William shouldering more of the burden of public duties while also supporting Kate and helping to 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 receives treatment.