Kate Middleton breaks silence, posts new family photo

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Kate Middleton shared a message of thanks with royal watchers as she posted a photo with her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for Mother’s Day.

In the photo, the Princess of Wales smiles alongside her kids she also extended her hearty well wishes to other mother’s celebrating their special day in the U.K.

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“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day,” Kate wrote, signing off her message with the initial “C” for Catherine.

But in the snap, which was taken by Prince William, Kate, 42, isn’t wearing her wedding ring or any other jewelry.

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The image is the first official photo of Kate released by the palace since she had abdominal surgery in January.

Earlier this year, Kensington Palace announced that the princess underwent a “successful” operation and that she would not resume her official duties before April.

“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate,” the palace said. “She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.”

“Catherine is recovering well,” a source told the Daily Mail after the procedure. “She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William.”

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Kate’s last public appearance came Dec. 25 during the family’s annual Christmas Day service in Sandringham, England.

During her absence, the public obsessed over her disappearance from the royal limelight. When TMZ shared a paparazzi photo of Kate last week with her mother, Carole Middleton, some conspiracy theorists suggested it wasn’t really her and was an imposter.

According to the Daily Mail, “these were paparazzi pictures that were not authorized by the palace.”

But after her hospitalization, “Where is Kate?” became an oft-asked question on social media.

As rumours swirled about her whereabouts, a spokesperson for the future queen issued a statement to multiple media outlets, including Vanity Fair, in late February to try and dampen unfounded speculation about her health. “We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant,” the message read in part.

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Sources close to the Princess of Wales also told the magazine that she, “has not ruled out one day speaking about what she has been through, but for now, her focus is on getting better and getting back to work when she is ready.”

Kate’s condition was followed by Buckingham Palace’s announcement that King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer in February.

But one palace insider described the silence over Kate’s condition as complete “radio silence” last week in a story published by PEOPLE.

“She is their MVP, without any doubt,” royal historian Amanda Foreman told the publication. “She is in so many ways the most like the late Queen.”

The palace also faced calls for more transparency as details about Charles’ and Kate’s conditions were shrouded in secrecy.

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“Everybody feels unsettled by uncertainty, and there is too much uncertainty that is surrounding the monarchy right now,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE. “Queen Elizabeth used to say, ‘I need to be seen to be believed.’ It is important for Charles and his reign for the public to know a little bit more.”

But in a bid to return to normalcy, Prince William resumed his public duties. “His focus is on his work and not on social media,” a rep said.

mdaniell@postmedia.cm

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