The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has been spotted for the first time since she was hospitalized for abdominal surgery.
Middleton was spotted in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by her mother Monday near Windsor Castle, according to TMZ. She was being driven by her mother Carole at the time. This is the first time Middleton has been seen in public since December. She was wearing oversized sunglasses and seemed to be enjoying the serenity of the drive before the paparazzi spotted her and began snapping photos, according to TMZ. She has been out of the public eye since it was declared that she required surgery.
Princess of Wales during a visit to the Greentown Labs in Somerville, to learn about climate innovations which are being incubated in Boston on December 1, 2022 in Boston, United States. Greentown Labs has nurtured a community of climate pioneers who are working to design and implement a more sustainable world. Photo by Kirsty O’Connor – Pool/Getty Images
NORFOLK, UNITED KINGDOM : Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge applies hand sanitizer during a visit to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn as part of the NHS birthday celebrations on July 5, 2020 in Norfolk, England. Sunday marks the 72nd anniversary of the formation of the National Health Service (NHS). The UK has hailed its NHS for the work they have done during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Joe Giddens – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
There did not seem to be any other royal family members in the vehicle with Middleton and her mother. It appeared that Middleton and her mother traveled on their own, without the aid of security personnel, according to TMZ.
Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends as the Earl Of Wessex hosts the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 18, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The exact medical condition she has been facing has remained private, with very few details released to the press or public, aside from the fact that Middleton was hospitalized for abdominal surgery of some sort, according to TMZ.
LOS ANGELES, CA: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the BAFTA Brits To Watch event held at the Belasco Theatre on July 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Catherine, Princess of Wales attends King Charles III’s Coronation Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 9, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Buckingham Palace alerted fans to her absence and have already declared that Middleton would not be able to resume her duties until Easter, according to TMZ.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, meets farmers at Brodieshill Farm, Moray, Scotland, to learn about efforts being made to better support the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Photo by Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND; Catherine, Princess of Wales is seen during day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Shortly after it was revealed that Middleton was facing a medical issue, the palace informed the public that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer. He has also paused his royal duties and undergone a medical procedure that has not been entirely disclosed. (RELATED: Thomas Kingston Died By Suicide, Coroner Announces)
This situation continues to unfold.