KATE’S Mother’s Day photo is “the most important photo of the Princess in years”, The Sun’s royal editor has claimed.
The royal family today thanked the public for their continued support and shared an unseen photo of the princess with her children on Instagram.
The post comes after social media was flooded with conspiracy theories about her whereabouts, while rumors about her health began to swirl.
The photo was the first officially released since her abdominal surgery in January.
Now The Sun’s Royal editor Matt Wilkinson has revealed the significance of the photo.
He explained: “The Princess of Wales is one of the most photographed women in the world, but this one today is perhaps one of the most important we have seen in many years.
“She looks good and she is smiling and hopefully this will now dispel all the crazy myths doing the rounds online.
“There is a lot of nonsense on social media platforms about Kate’s condition.
“Kensington Palace had to come out and speak about the utter madness of some of the comments and crazy conspiracy theories that have been posted online.
“Kensington Palace has been criticized in recent weeks for not providing updates on the Princess of Wales, but they have always maintained that she is doing well.”
Unfounded online rumors were fueled when Prince William unexpectedly withdrew from a memorial service last week where he was expected to give a talk.
Kate, 42, underwent the “planned abdominal surgery” at the London clinic in January.
The private hospital in central London also treated The King as he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Kensington Palace said at the time that Kate was unlikely to resume her public duties until after Easter.
At the time, the mother of three apologized for postponing her royal engagements following the non-cancer surgery.
The statement read: “The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to everyone involved for having to postpone her upcoming engagements.
The Princess of Wales is one of the most photographed women in the world, but this one today might be one of the most important we’ve seen in years.
The Sun’s Matt Wilkinson
“She looks forward to rehoming as many as possible as quickly as possible.”
The palace previously said the public “will understand her desire to maintain as much normality as possible for her children.”
Kate initially returned to Windsor before continuing her recovery at the family’s Norfolk country home, Anmer Hall.
Last week, mother-of-three Kate was seen for the first time since her hospital operation.
Chronology of Royal Health Battles
HERE is a date-by-date breakdown of the health battles that have hit the Royals this year.
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery.
JANUARY 17TH: It is announced that the king will undergo treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
JANUARY 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside.
JANUARY 19: The king flies back from Scotland with the queen.
21ST OF JANUARY: It is announced that Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
JANUARY 23: Kate’s hospital stay lasts a week. January 26: The king is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment.
JANUARY 29: The king is released from hospital. Kate leaves the same day.
JANUARY 31ST: Queen Camilla announces that the king is “moving on and doing his best.”
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces that the king has cancer, but not of the prostate, and that he will not perform public duties.
FEBRUARY 18: The King appears cheerful as he attends a Sunday church service in the grounds of Sandringham.
FEBRUARY 23: The king was filmed crying and chuckling as he opened some of the 7,000 cards from well-wishers.
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William withdraws from service at the last minute due to ‘personal matters’, leading to a wave of baseless conspiracy theories about Kate’s health.
4TH OF MARCH: Kate Middleton pictured in car with mother Carole at Windsor estate.
10TH OF MARCH: Princess Kate speaks publicly for the first time since her surgery and shares a touching photo for Mother’s Day
The Princess of Wales sat in the passenger seat as mother Carole, 69, drove her in an Audi near Windsor Castle on Monday.
She was wearing sunglasses and appeared to be smiling slightly at the first sighting since her abdominal surgery.