Kate Middleton has been spotted in public for the first time since Christmas Day before she underwent abdominal surgery in mid-January.
The Princess of Wales’ absence from public view has coincided with health issues in the Royal Family such as King Charles’ ongoing battle with cancer and the death of Lady Gabriella Windsor’s husband Thomas Kingston.
Despite Kensington Palace has repeatedly stated she won't be taking part in public events until Easter, which has led to increasingly desperate rumors about her disappearance spreading rapidly.
On Mother’s Day, Kensington Palace shared a photo of Kate and her three children. However, news agencies later removed it for being manipulated – something Kate later admitted to.
So, where has Kate actually been, and what’s been happening? Here’s all we know.
December 25
The last time Kate was seen in public was on Christmas Day at Sandringham in Norfolk.
She walked hand-in-hand with her husband and their children on their way to St Mary Magdalene Church.
January 16
Kate was taken to The London clinic for abdominal surgery.
She remained there for two weeks, finally leaving on January 29.
While at the hospital, William was seen visiting his wife once after it was announced he would step back from work to care for his family.
Kate has been recuperating at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor's grounds since.
February 27
William pulled out of memorial service for his late godfather King Constantine due to an undisclosed personal matter.
Kensington Palace did not provide additional information on why he could not attend.
But in a rare update on his wife Kate Middleton said she continues to be doing well following her operation.
This led Buckingham Palace to urgently find replacements as the King continued to receive cancer treatment.
Up Next
February 29
William made his first public appearance after mysteriously cancelling the event.
The Prince of Wales visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in central London and spoke to ambassadors and holocaust survivors, expressing both his and Kate Middleton’s concerns over antisemitism.
March 1
Kensington Palace issued an update on Kate’s health in an attempt to dispel the ridiculous rumors of her disappearance.
The Palace said: ‘Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.’
March 2
Royal aides condemned the ‘madness of social media’ after speculation over Kate’s disappearance showed no sign of stopping.
Among the bizarre theories circulating online include her lying in a coma, undergoing the process of being cloned, waiting for a bad haircut to grow out and having ‘Brazilian butt lift’ work done.
The aides informed The Sun that they made it clear from the beginning that they wouldn't give regular updates on the Princess of Wales's health, only important ones.
They have seen the chaos of social media and that won't change how they handle the situation.
There has been a lot of talk on social media, but the Princess wants privacy and asks the public to respect that.
March 4
Kate was seen for the first time after her surgery, riding in a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.
The photos, taken by TMZ, show her wearing sunglasses inside a vehicle near Windsor Castle.
A witness told The Mirror: 'It was a nice sunny day and Kate was being driven by her mom.
The Princess was sitting in the passenger seat wearing dark sunglasses, but seemed healthy as the two women conversed.
Meanwhile, during his visit to Wrexham AFC, William was asked, 'How’s Catherine?'
The Prince of Wales did not respond.
Pupils gave William a bouquet for Kate and he said, 'I’ll pass them onto Catherine as well, thank you very much.'
March 5
The British Army was awkwardly made to admit it jumped the gun after saying on its website she would be appearing at Trooping the Colour in June.
Tickets were being sold on the website for the event stating she would be reviewing the troops.
Royal officials clarified that her attendance hadn’t been confirmed, with the Army removing the event page not long after.
March 10
Kensington Palace marked Mother’s Day by posting an official photograph of Kate and her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, on her social media.
As Kate thanked well-wishers, royal watchers saw the photograph as the palace’s way to calm down the increasingly far-fetched speculation about the princess of Wales’ wellbeing.
But multiple news agencies issued a 'kill order' for the image (which asks clients to remove the photograph from their platforms) later that day, saying it had been doctored.
This only fueled frenzied speculation even further.
March 11
After half a day of silence from the royals, Kate apologized for the Mother’s Day photo, attributing a few oddities to her photographer’s desire to retouch it.
'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,' Catherine wrote.
'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.'
Kensington Palace has also refused to release the unedited photograph.
Shortly after issuing a statement, the Princess of Wales was pictured leaving Windsor Castle in a black car with Prince William – as he made his way for a Commonwealth Day engagement that he attended solo.
March 17
Kate was replaced at the Irish Guards parade after she shared a St Patrick’s Day tribute from her social media.
From the Prince and Princess of Wales’s official X account, they said: 'Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here’s a sneak peak of the Irish Guards rehearsing for their annual parade.
'Sláinte to all those celebrating today!'
March 18
Footage released by The Sun shows Middleton captured on video for the first time since her surgery in January on a trip to a farm shop in Windsor.
The video depicts the Duchess of Cambridge with her William a mile away from her home at Adelaide Cottage on Saturday.
'Kate was shopping with William and appeared cheerful and healthy,' a customer informed the tabloid.
.
