Princess Catherine spotted out and about for first time since hospitalisation

Alleged bungling over Princess Catherine’s first big royal engagement since recovering from surgery has followed her first public sighting since her hospitalisation. Watch video.

Confusion is swirling around Princess Catherine’s first major royal event after her surgery after a claim made on the British Army’s website that she would be appearing at Trooping the Colour in June.

The British Ministry of Defence released tickets to the military spectacle with a picture of Princess Catherine and a line saying she would be reviewing a dress rehearsal at Horse Guards Parade on June 8.

The claim caused confusion after Kensington Palace said it had not confirmed her appearance.

Confusion surrounds Princess Catherine’s appearance at Trooping the Colour in June. Picture: Getty Images

The Army, which did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, will now remove the claim from its website, the BBC reports.

The BBC reported that the Army published details for the event based on the Princess’s role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the regiment trooping its colour this year in the lavish event.

Princess Catherine is recovering from abdominal surgery. Picture: AFP

In its initial announcement, the Army’s website said: “Trooping the Colour reviewed by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is identical to Trooping the Colour reviewed by His Majesty The King, with the exception that some additional mounted officers ride when His Majesty The King is present.

“Trooping the Colour reviewed by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales also includes 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards who will line the processional route along The Mall.

“The soldiers will be inspected by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, Colonel Irish Guards.”

In an earlier health update, Kensington Palace said the Princess would be unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

The statement in January read: “The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.

“She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is recovering from abdominal surgery. Picture: UK Press via Getty Images

Princess Catherine was spotted for the first time in almost seven weeks riding as a passenger in a car driven by her mother Carole near Windsor Castle on Monday, local time.

In a photo published by TMZ, the elusive royal was seen wearing large dark glasses, and looking a little bit downcast.

The Princess cut a sombre figure, as she was driven home to Adelaide Cottage, where she has been convalescing since January 16 when she was admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone for surgery.

Buckingham Palace has issued scant detail about the Princess’s diagnosis except to say she was hospitalised for two weeks and would resume her duties after Easter.

Aides moved to reassure the public the princess was “recovering well” and making progress after the Prince of Wales suddenly pulled out of a memorial service last week citing “personal reasons”.

Amid concerns for her father-in-law’s health following his cancer diagnosis and the lack of explanation when William failed to show at the memorial service, the Princess of Wales’s health has been the focus of widespread speculation.
The Princess was admitted to the London Clinic and the following day, Kensington Palace confirmed the procedure was successful, estimating she would remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days.

On January 29, it was announced she was discharged and went home to Windsor.

It was understood at the time her recuperation would likely take up to three months.

“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” a Kensington Palace statement said before she was admitted to hospital.

“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. 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.

“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”

Princess Catherine is staying at Adelaide Cottage and is surrounded by Prince William and their three kids. Picture: @princesscatherineofwales/ Instagram

Prince William was scheduled to attend a memorial for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, and was due to give a reading at Windsor Castle on February 27.

The King did not attend due to his ongoing cancer treatment, but William was expected with other members of the family.

The Palace issued a statement to say the Prince would not attend due to a “personal matter” – but did not elaborate.

Since leaving hospital, without being photographed, Catherine has been recovering with the help of Prince William and her family at Adelaide Cottage, the family’s four-bedroom home at Windsor Home Park.

William had been doing the school run for their children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, all of whom attend Lambrook school a 15-minute drive away in Berkshire.

In a new statement released this week, a royal spokesman said: “Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.” They added that Catherine continues to do “well”.

KING CHARLES RETURNS TO WORK

King Charles was all smiles as he returned to work, meeting Britain’s Chancellor at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Sunak government’s Budget.

The in-person meeting marks a return to duties for the monarch, who is being treated for an unspecified type of cancer.

King Charles shakes hands with Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace. Picture: AFP

The meeting marked a return to in-person royal duties for the monarch. Picture: Getty Images

The King, 75, waved to royal fans as he left Windsor Castle on Tuesday morning, local time, by car for London.

Dressed in a blue suit and pale tie, the monarch appeared to be in good spirits and smiled broadly as he shook hands with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in a meeting which is a royal tradition ahead of the Budget.

King Charles meets with Jeremy Hunt in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace. Picture: Getty Images

They were also shown sitting beside a small antique table, with King Charles looking more serious as he posed with his hands clasped together.

The audience with the King is traditionally a private meeting, but this time King Charles was photographed shaking hands with Mr Hunt in the private audience room of Buckingham Palace.

Details of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis have not been revealed, but Buckingham Palace has confirmed he does not have prostate cancer.

It came as Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, wished the King well in his recovery.

The ex-wife of Prince Andrew, who is visiting Melbourne for the first Australian Global Citizen Now summit, praised the monarch for his tireless charity work over the years.

“Of course, one person who stood and fought and fought and fought for so many years is the King,” she told Seven’s Sunrise on Wednesday.

“I’m thrilled that I’m here with Global Citizen today to say if he’s watching or listening, just that we’re out here championing the work that he has tirelessly done.

“We wish him so well. He’s such a great man. We wish him so well.”