Kate Middleton finally spotted after disappearing for more than two months

As speculation about her health and whereabouts reaches fever pitch, we finally have our first glimpse of Kate Middleton in more than two months.

After a two-month disappearance from the public eye that has sparked an increasingly feverish wave of online conspiracy theories, Kate Middleton has finally been seen out in public.

The Princess of Wales entered hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16. Despite the palace’s insistence that the surgery was “planned,” People later reported that the news “came as a surprise” to family friends as well as people who “work closely” with the royals.

The last time the Princess was seen in public was Christmas Day, December 25 last year, when she and husband Prince William took their three children to a church service.

Now, more than two months after that public appearance, Kate has finally been spotted again – sitting in the passenger seat of a car in Windsor, with her mother Carole in the driver’s seat.

This is the first photo of Kate in more than two months. Picture: BACKGRID

Kate at right, with mother Carole in the driver’s seat. Picture: BACKGRID

As Kate’s public disappearance hit the two-month mark last week, online speculation grew about where she might be, why she had stayed out of the public eye for so long, and why exactly she’d needed this mysterious surgery.

One author and royal expert noted last week that “everything that is happening with Kate M is indeed very, very weird. Unprecedented, even.”

But on the weekend, royal aides criticised the “madness of social media” for fuelling conspiracy theories about the Princess’ health.

Christmas Day 2023, the last time Kate had been seen in public. Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

Kate is not expected to return to official duties until April.

Her absence comes as the other senior royals have also taken breaks from the public eye: King Charles, as he battles an undisclosed form of cancer, Queen Camilla flying off on a private jet for an overseas holiday, and Prince William pulling out William of the Windsor tribute to his godfather, Greece’s late King Constantine, last week due to a “personal matter”.

The four senior royals’ absence from public duties leaves the disgraced Prince Andrew technically in charge.

It comes as the royal family deal with a tragic loss: Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s daughter Lady Gabriella Kingston, died by suicide on February 25.

The Royal Family are said to still be in shock over the sudden death of Mr Kingston, who married Lady Gabriella in 2019. It’s thought Mr Kingston was adored by King Charles and Queen Camilla.