First official picture shared of Princess of Wales since surgery
The Princess of Wales has thanked people for their well wishes and support
Last updated 11th Mar 2024
The Princess of Wales has thanked people for their continued support and well wishes following her abdominal surgery.
The first official picture of Kate since she stepped back from public duties to recover has been shared on social media.
In the post she thanked people for their continued support over the last two months.
The photo, posted on Mother's Day, shows her with her three children Prince Georgie, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
She also wished everyone a Happy Mother's Day in the post on X.
The photo of the princess is the first released since she was admitted to the London Clinic – the private hospital where the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate – for a planned operation on January 16.
Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-law’s bedside after being admitted himself on January 26 – the 11th day of Kate’s stay.
She was also visited by her husband, William.
Kate left the hospital on January 29 – almost two weeks later – and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
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.
The 42-year-old future queen was last pictured in public during a Christmas Day walk in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and William, 41, had temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children.
He carried out his first public engagements since her surgery in early February.
Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, were expected to be hands-on in helping the Waleses.
Official pictures of the Princess and Princess of Wales
Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding day
William and Kate married on 29th April 2011 in a lavish ceremony in Westminster Abbey with thousands of well-wishers gathering around Buckingham Palace.
Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Wimbledon
William and Kate attend Wimbledon regularly.
Prince William and Catherine Middleton meet former US President and First Lady
William and Kate meet Barack and Michelle Obama in Buckingham Palace in May 2011.
Prince William and Duchess Kate have their first child Prince George
The couple welcomed their first child baby, George, in July 2013.
William and Kate tour New Zealand and Australia
In April 2014, the couple went on a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia. They brought Prince George along with them, it was their first royal tour as a three.
Princess Charlotte is born
The Duke and Duchess have their second child Princess Charlotte in May 2015.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take a skiing trip as a family
In March 2016, they took a skiing trip to the French Alps, it was their first holiday as a family of four.
Prince William and Catherine Middleton attend a ceremony in India
William and Kate pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti in India, in April 2016.
First royal tour as a family of four
After their first holiday as a family of four in March 2016, in September that same year William and Kate made their first royal tour as a family of four. They spent eight days in Canada.
Prince William and Catherine Middleton on school run
Princess Charlotte escorted to her first day of school by her brother Prince George and parents William and Kate.
Prince William and Catherine Middleton introduce Prince Louis
William and Kate welcomed Prince Louis in April 2018.
William and Kate visit Ireland on a three-day tour
This was their first official trip to the country in March 2020. They spent time in Dublin, County Meath, County Kildare and Galway. While in Meath, they spoke with local farmers at Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority in the area.
Prince William and Duchess Kate lead the 'Every Mind Matters' campaign
The pair led the campaign to support mental health when it launched in April 2020. It was created by Public Health England to highlight the importance of caring for mental health during Coronavirus. The TV film was narrated by the couple, including new advice on how to help people manage lockdown and the effect of Covid-19 on mental health.
William and Kate play golf in Durham
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge played golf during a visit to the Cheesy Waffles Project at the Belmont Community Centre in Durham, England, in April 2021.
Prince William and Kate attend Prince Philip's funeral
William and Kate were pictured sitting together at the funeral of Prince Philip on the 17th April 2021. He died on the 9th April 2021 at the age of 99.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrate a decade of marriage
William and Kate celebrated 10 years of marriage in April 2021. On the 29th April they shared portraits and a family video. The video featured them running around with their children, smiling and toasting marshmallows. Their message read: "Thank you to everyone for the kind messages on our wedding anniversary. We are enormously grateful for the 10 years of support we have received in our lives as a family. W & C."
William and Kate tour Scotland
In May 2021, the couple ventured out on a royal tour of Scotland. During their visit they returned to the University of St Andrews where they first met.
Prince William and Duchess Kate visit Westminster Abbey at Christmas
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, attended the 'Together At Christmas' community carol service held at Westminster Abbey in London in December 2021.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend The Queen's Jubilee celebrations
William, Kate and their family join the celebrations for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. They're pictured singing the national anthem during the Platinum Party at the Palace on 4th June 2022 staged in front of London's Buckingham Palace, on day three of celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign.
The Queen's funeral
Prince William and Kate as well as Prince George and Princess Charlotte attended the Queen's funeral on the 19th September 2022.
The King's Coronation
Following Queen Elizabeth's death one of the first things the new King did was to make his son William the Prince of Wales, making Kate the Princess of Wales.
In May 2023 Prince William played a significant part in his father's coronation. After pledging his loyalty and allegiance to the new King, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined the new King and Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.