The Princess of Wales seen in a new picture taken by Prince William this week
Kate Middleton has shared a Mother’s Day message with the public for the first time since taking time off for an operation almost two months ago.
She thanked the public for their ‘kind wishes and continued support’ as she recovers from the abdominal surgery.
Alongside the message was a photo taken by her husband Prince William this week.
It shows the Princess of Wales sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.
Released to mark Mother’s Day, the photo comes after growing concern for her wellbeing as she had not yet personally shared a photo or update on her recovery.
The highly anticipated message, shared to the Kensington Palace account, reads: ‘Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C’
Until last week, The Princess of Wales not been seen since Christmas Day when she was pictured attending church.
Last week she was seen riding as a passenger in a car driven by her mother Carole Middleton near Windsor Castle, wearing a pair of sunglasses.
It comes after she was admitted to the London Clinic for a planned operation on January 16, the same private hospital where the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-law’s bedside after being admitted himself on January 26 – the 11th day of Kate’s stay.
Details of the princess’s condition have not been revealed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.
Mothering Sunday this year did not have a peaceful start for the royals, after a car crashed into the gates of Buckigham Palace in the early hours of the morning.
A man was arrested for criminal damage, with dramatic footage showing armed police yelling ‘Keep your hands on your head!’
Nobody was injured in the incident in central London.
King Charles also shared a touching tribute for Mother’s Day, posting a photo of him kissing his mother’s hand.
The photo, shared on the official royal family social media, is captioned: ‘Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday.’
Today is the second time he is celebrating the day without her, after she died aged 96 on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral.
The black and white photo chosen to mark the occasion shows the Queen beaming during a polo match her son was part of in 1985.
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