Kate Middleton Breaks Silence Following Surgery in Mother’s Day Statement

Kate Middleton has spoken out for the first time since her planned abdominal surgery in January. The Princess of Wales released a statement on Instagram for Mother’s Day (which is celebrated on March 10 in the United Kingdom), thanking people for well wishes over the past several months.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself—taken by Prince William—with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C.”

Kate’s message comes amid a lot of speculation as to her wherabouts—despite the royals saying in their original statement about her surgery that “Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”

The palace has released several statements combating conspiracy theories, telling Page Six at the end of February that, “Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.” They added that Kate is “doing well.”

More recently, Prince William’s rep told People, “His focus is on his work and not on social media.”

Kate was seen driving with her mom Carole Middleton on March 4, but the photo didn’t appear in the United Kingdom. According to the Daily Mail, “the pictures were published by US gossip website TMZ but not in the UK after Kensington Palace appealed for her to be able to recuperate in private.” The outlet also noted that, “Kensington Palace did not comment tonight but sources stressed these were paparazzi pictures that were not authorised by the palace.”

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