All the times we’ve seen Kate Middleton since her surgery – and what’s next for the Princess

Footage of the Prince and Princess of Wales visiting a farm shop at the weekend shows how Kate appears to be on the road to recovery following abdominal surgery earlier this year.

And with a potential return to royal duties edging closer, we take a look at what’s next for her

Despite several sightings, cruel conspiracy theories have continued to circulate.

Smiling, chatting and happily carrying a shopping bag, the Princess of Wales appeared to be on the road to recovery after surgery while out and about at Windsor last weekend.

Video has emerged of Kate alongside Prince William at the Windsor Farm Shop, marking one of the few times she’s been spotted since undergoing abdominal surgery earlier this year. When news about her surgery broke on January 17, Kensington Palace said she would not be resuming royal duties until at least Easter and added that Kate wished for her personal medical information to remain private – although added it was not cancer related.

Kate with husband Prince William pictured in Hereford last year (
Image:
PA)
But her short absence from from public life has led to wild conspiracy theories on social media about her whereabouts and health. The online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in a Mother’s Day photograph of Kate and her children, which led to the princess admitting to “editing” the image and apologising for any ‘confusion’ caused.

The speculation still flourished in spite of the fact that Kate has been pictured in public twice since her operation before her appearance at the farm shop on Saturday. The first picture came on March 4, when the first snap of her since her surgery came showing her in the front passenger seat in a car driven by her mother Carole Middleton.

A witness said at the time: “It was a lovely sunny day and Kate was being driven by her mum. The Princess was sitting in the passenger seat and wearing dark sunglasses but looked well as the two women were talking with one another.” Then just a week later, another picture emerged with her also in a car, this time with William. It came on March 11 as the Prince of Wales was driven to London for the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey while Kate was taken to a private appointment.

It was earlier that day that she publicly took the blame for the edited family photograph released by Kensington Palace for Mother’s Day and issued a personal apology for the ‘confusion’. The photograph of Kate and her children, taken by the Prince of Wales, was the first to be issued since the princess’s abdominal surgery and was released by the Palace to mark Mother’s Day. But it was withdrawn with a ‘Kill’ notice by international picture agencies hours later, and the UK’s Press Association because of suspicions it had been manipulated.

The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis attending the Easter Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel in 2023 (
Image:
PA)
Kate said sorry with a statement on social media which read: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”

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After the photo of William and Kate being driven in a car emerged last week, cruel speculation circled about the photo, with some even claiming that had also been doctored. But the photographer who snapped it, Jim Bennett hit back and explained exactly how he captured it.

He told the New York Post: “We don’t change our photos in Photoshop other than adjusting the light levels if necessary. The cars left Windsor Castle and I photographed them a short distance away on Datchet High Street — outside No. 39, to be precise! Car shots are unpredictable at the best of times and with some reflection on the glass, it can be difficult.”

He then explained how he initially thought it was just William in the car as he made his way for London for Commonwealth Day – and only realised Kate was with him when he checked his shot. Mr Bennett added: “As it happened, it wasn’t until I checked on the back of the camera to make sure I had a frame of Prince William that I realized there was someone sitting next to him. It turned out to be Catherine!”

And now, the new video taken at Windsor Farm Shop shows William and Kate stocking up on shopping close to their Adelaide Cottage home. Nelson Silva, who saw the royal couple, told TMZ: “I noticed a couple choosing loaves of bread and the woman turned her face and I felt like I had seen the face before. It was familiar.

“I went to my car and as they came out of the shop I just filmed them. I think they walked out through a gate out of the grounds. They just vanished and I didn’t see a car. Kate looked happy and relaxed. They look happy just to be able to go to a shop and mingle. Kate looked relieved, like it was a success going to a shop. It felt natural.”

Now Kate appears to be getting better, her return to public life is now being planned by several publicity big guns. A team featuring Kate and Prince Willliam’s closest aides, their communications team and former palace staff members are being consulted as part of the top secret project.

Royal sources said courtiers had asked for help and advice after a tumultuous period surrounding the princess’s absence from royal life. The Mirror understands two former aides, known for being “well-established public relations experts” have been consulted by the team tasked with devising Kate’s new schedule after weeks of heightened scrutiny. One of them is her new private secretary, Lt Col Tom White, who joined the royal team in January.

Prince William’s new private secretary, former diplomat Ian Patrick, who previously worked for former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown, is also part of the senior team. One source said: “The teams are working round the clock to devise the Princess of Wales’s back-to-work plan after weeks of immense pressure. They all know that the world will be watching after weeks of heightened speculation and often outlandish commentary on social media.”

So when will we eventually see Kate back carrying out her royal role? Well according to one report, it could be as soon as a week on Sunday, which is Easter Sunday. Conversations are believed to have taken place for her to join her family and other senior royals at church on Easter Sunday in Windsor.

However, other reports have suggested Kate, 42, may not take part in any public engagements until after April 17, when her children go back to Lambrook School, near Ascot, Berks, following the Easter holidays. A palace source said: “The team has been very consistent in any updates. When there is something more to say or announce, we will do so.”

At the time the palace announced Kate’s hospital stay, sources suggested she may speak about her health battle, but only when she returned to work and felt comfortable in doing so. Charities and organisations the princess is already aligned to are also in the process of being contacted as her schedule is devised, sources said.

Conversations among members of the senior team are understood to have involved scenarios where the princess might discuss her condition and recovery. Sources said if the princess decides to be more open, she could decide to address it in an interview or podcast, such as when she appeared in 2020 on Giovanna Fletcher ’s podcast, Happy Mum, Happy Baby.