Kate Middleton Shares First Photo of Herself Since Abdominal Surgery Absence

on the mend

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” Princess of Wales says Sunday

Kate Middleton has shared the first image of herself since the Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery in January, an absence that has since sprouted a bevy of conspiracy theories.

Posting on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram account on Sunday, the U.K.’s Mother’s Day, Middleton appears smiling with her three children in a photo snapped by Prince William. Kensington Palace told CNN that the picture was taken earlier this week in Windsor.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” the caption reads, “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C,” short for Catherine.

Middleton stepped back from her royal duties since her January procedure, the details of which have still not been fully revealed; Kensington Palace had previously said the abdominal surgery was not cancer-related. She is expected to return to public duties around Easter.

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The Princess of Wales has reportedly spent the past few months recovering at home, but that didn’t stop the social media rumor mill from churning out theories about Middleton’s absence, including that she was sequestered with The Masked Singer or Traitors, or that she was in costume at the ill-fated Willy Wonka live experience.

The conspiracies became so prevalent and outlandish — the BBL operation, for example — that Kensington Palace took the uncharacteristic step of issuing a statement to stop the gossip. “Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates,” a representative for the royal said. “That guidance stands.”