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Kate Middleton has seemingly been spotted in public for the first time since issuing an apology for "editing" a family photograph.
The Context
The princess was reportedly photographed traveling by car with Prince William to a private appointment on Monday afternoon. Kate has not made an official public appearance since Christmas Day 2023 and underwent abdominal surgery in January.
Her absence from the spotlight has sparked a wave of viral social media posts suggesting she is missing.
Kate has also been forced to acknowledge she edited a Mother's Day family portrait released on Sunday showing herself with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis after multiple flaws were spotted on social media.
What We Know
On Monday, Daily Mail royal editor Rebecca English posted to X, formerly Twitter, that: "The Princess of Wales has been pictured leaving Windsor with the Prince of Wales this afternoon. She is not attending the Commonwealth Day service, however."
In a follow-up post, English said: "I'm told the princess has a 'private appointment.'"
Though a photograph of the princess with her husband in a car has been published, her face is apparently turned away from the camera and in shadow, meaning she is not clearly visible.
Newsweek approached Kensington Palace via email for comment.
The princess' emergence from the privacy of the Windsor Castle estate comes hours after speculation and conspiracy theories stemming from the Mother's Day photograph caused it to be withdrawn from image libraries amid claims it was digitally altered.
In response, Kate issued a rare personally authored statement reading: "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"
Views
Kate's absence from public life since her abdominal surgery and the ongoing efforts made by Kensington Palace to protect her privacy at this time have sparked debate across social media and from royal commentators.
This, compounded with the scandal arising from the Mother's Day photo, reached a new height on Monday.
Speaking of the PR crisis that has unfolded in recent weeks, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Newsweek that he hopes lessons will be learned.
"Hopefully some lessons will have been learned and their public relations team obviously needs an overhaul," he said of William and Kate. "It won't blow over totally after this until Kate is back doing royal engagements after Easter, but I was delighted to see how well she looked in the now notorious [Mother's Day] photograph.
"No one should pander to loathsome trolls and 'lower than vermin' paparazzi. However, two and a half months is far too long a period without an official photograph or statement of some sort when there has been a serious illness. The royals certainly need privacy but they also need to keep more in touch with their public."
What's Next?
Now that Kate has been photographed leaving Windsor, has released an official—though edited—portrait and self-authored statement, the public will now look toward her return to official royal work.
At the time of her abdominal surgery in January (the cause of which has not so far been revealed), Kensington Palace said that she was not expected to return to duties until at least "after Easter."
This information still standing, fans won't expect to see the princess officially at events until after March 31.
Update 3/11/24, 11:12 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more