Kate Middleton has been photographed for the first time since her hospitalization going for a drive with her mother, Carole Middleton.
The pictures, which have not been published by UK newspapers reportedly out of respect for the princess and due to privacy laws, were taken by unauthorized paparazzi in Windsor, close to the Princess of Wales’s home. According to TMZ, the images show Princess Kate in the passenger seat of an Audi being driven by her mother. The images follow frantic speculation online about how Kate has not been seen in public since Christmas Day.
As Kate continues to recover from abdominal surgery, she is currently off work and is not expected to return to royal duties until after Easter. However, last week, the internet went into overdrive following rumors concerning her health.
The speculation began after Prince William pulled out of a memorial service at the last minute. Prince William had been due to give a reading at the service for his late godfather King Constantine II, but with just hours before the start time, the palace announced William would not be attending because of a “personal matter.” The news prompted widespread concern about Kate, despite assurances from the royals’ reps that Kate continues to be recovering well after her surgery in January.
The palace has said it will not give a running commentary on Kate’s health and has made it clear the princess will not be returning to work until after Easter. The Couple’s three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are on school holidays until mid-April.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence said that Kate is expected to attend Trooping the Colour in June, but aides at Kensington Palace have not confirmed her attendance, pointing out that that information can only be confirmed by the palace.
Sources close to Kate say that she is not being hurried into any official engagement and there is no pressure for her to return to work until she is fully fit. Much of the princess’s work with her Shaping Us campaign has continued while she is recuperating, and it is hoped that any canceled appearances will be rescheduled when she is well enough to return.
Meanwhile, Prince William is to attend the forthcoming Commonwealth Day service later this month. The Prince of Wales will attend the service on March 11 at Westminster Abbey, but Buckingham Palace has confirmed it will be Queen Camilla who will lead the royals at the celebration. King Charles is not able to carry out public-facing engagements while he undergoes cancer treatment.
According to the palace, Camilla will be accompanied by William; Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh; Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh; Princess Anne; Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester; and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who will also be at the event in London.
The event will put Queen Camilla center stage after she took a break from the spotlight this week. The 76-year-old traditionally takes a week off at this time of year and will be spending time with her own family at Ray Mill, her country home in Wiltshire, as well as looking after the king. “The queen has had a busy start to the year, and this is some much-needed downtime,” says a source. “It was scheduled, and the queen will be seeing her family as well as be with the king.”