Kate Middleton was spotted in public for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, putting to rest wild conspiracy theories regarding her ongoing recovery.
Amid her continued convalescence, Kate was photographed on Monday in the car with her mother, Carole Middleton, near Windsor Castle, as reported by ABC News. The princess was last seen in public walking to church with the royal family on Christmas Day.
In January, Kensington Palace announced that following a planned abdominal surgery, Kate Middleton would recover in the hospital for two weeks, then return home for a continued recovery. The Palace noted that she would remain absent from public events and royal engagements until Easter (March 31) and updates on the princess’s health would only be provided if there was “significant new information to share.”
The statement emphasized Kate’s desire to keep the details regarding her health private: “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. 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.”
As expected, Kate was absent from an event at Windsor Castle Tuesday — a memorial service for Greece’s King Constantine II, who died in January 2023, per the Independent. In a sudden change of events, Prince William pulled out of a scheduled appearance at the ceremony, noting a “personal matter” as reason for his absence, per CBS.
Outside the ceremony, a palace aide assured the media that “The Princess of Wales continues to be doing well,” per Vanity Fair.
William’s unanticipated absence sent the internet into a frenzy. The public crafted dozens of conspiracies surrounding the princess’s vague health updates and ongoing leave from public appearance.
In light of wild theories that Kate was taking time to grow out her bangs, had given birth to a secret baby or might be the artist Banksy, Kensington Palace issued a statement assuring the public that there are no “significant updates” regarding the princess’s health.
“Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess’s recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands,” a royal spokesperson told Vanity Fair.
Despite Kate’s brief public appearance, the internet is still full of theories
Kate’s brief public appearance on Monday was not quite enough to stomp out the barrage of conspiracy theories about her time away from public light. Some people claim she is somehow connected to the disastrous Willy Wonka event in Glasgow and others think she deserves to continue her work “vacation” in peace.