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Online speculation still rife after Kate and Wills pictured at farm shop

Crazy rumours have continued online after pictures of Wills and Kate at their local farm shop were published by a British newspaper.

Princess Kate reportedly seen in public

Pictures of Wills and Kate shopping at their local farm shop have failed to silence online trolls who have speculated that the woman in the images is a body double.

In pictures and video that appeared in The Sun, the Princess of Wales smiled and looked relaxed on the shopping trip near her Windsor home.

The 42-year-old mum-of-three was dressed down in a hoodie and dark leggings, and carried her shopping as she chatted to Wills in the car park of the farm shop.

Kate Middleton was seen with her husband William for the first time in 85 days. Picture: The Sun
Kate Middleton was seen with her husband William for the first time in 85 days. Picture: The Sun

Watch the full footage of Kate’s shopping trip here

The sighting marks the first time Kate has been spotted out in public, save for two blurry paparazzi pictures of her travelling in a car, since undergoing surgery in January and last week’s photoshop scandal.

However the images have sparked a new wave of ridiculous theories online, including that the woman in the picture is a lookalike.

The pair were shopping at a farm shop near their home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. Picture: The Sun
The pair were shopping at a farm shop near their home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. Picture: The Sun
Onlookers said the royal couple looked happy and relaxed despite their recent woes. Picture: The Sun
Onlookers said the royal couple looked happy and relaxed despite their recent woes. Picture: The Sun

Others have suggested that the pictures, which have been taken from a video, were created using artificial intelligence (AI).

Professional lookalike Heidi Agan said her Instagram was bombarded with comments asking if the woman in the photo was her.

“There has obviously been some speculation about whether it was Kate and William in that footage and stills,” Ms Agan told The Mirror.

“In fact, my own social media has gone crazy as people think it is me, but I know it is not.

“I was at work at the time so I know that is not me. I 100 per cent believe that is Kate Middleton and William in that video.”

Heidi Agan, who has worked as Kate lookalike for 12 years, was forced to deny it was her in the farm shop pictures.
Heidi Agan, who has worked as Kate lookalike for 12 years, was forced to deny it was her in the farm shop pictures.

Customers who spotted Kate at the farm shop said she looked “happy, relaxed and healthy” as she ventured from her Adelaide Cottage home to visit the nearby store.

It was claimed that Kate and William then spent the rest of the morning watching their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, play sports.

The whereabouts of the Princess of Wales has been the centre of speculation for weeks.

Her absence went into overdrive after a failed Photoshopping attempt last week led to a mandatory kill notice from the world’s biggest photo agencies and an awkward apology from the mother of three.

A witness at the farm shop in Windsor saidshe was pleasantly surprised to see the Princess of Wales out in public and healthy again.

The Photoshopped image of Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis that was released on UK Mother's Day. Picture: Kensington Palace/Instagram
The Photoshopped image of Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis that was released on UK Mother's Day. Picture: Kensington Palace/Instagram

“After all the rumours that had been going round I was stunned to see them there,” they said.

“Kate was out shopping with William and she looked happy and she looked well.

“The kids weren’t with them but it’s such a good sign she was healthy enough to pop down to the shops.”

The Princess of Wales was admitted to the hospital on January 16 for abdominal surgery, with a return to public life slated for Easter.

Kate’s last public appearance was on December 25 during the royal family’s traditional walk to the Christmas morning service in Sandringham.

The Windsor Farm Shop where Kate was recently spotted. Picture: Alamy
The Windsor Farm Shop where Kate was recently spotted. Picture: Alamy

The sightings come amid wild speculation and gossip about Kate’s health which have reportedly left the royal couple “devastated”.

Princess Kate’s staff members added another layer of confusion to the situation known as ‘KateGate’.

Insiders revealed that they had no prior knowledge of her surgery and had been unable to contact her.

Sources close to couple told UK’s Sunday Times said Kate and William have been disappointed by the public reaction and thought their request for privacy during the Princess’ health battle would be respected.

“It’s not that they didn’t think there would be lots of speculation and interest, but they had confidence that people would give them the space they asked for, which they did for about a month,” one said.

The question – and lack of information – about what is actually wrong with Kate has been at the heart of the global furore, but another of her friends told the publication that the future king and queen are refusing to be “rushed” into sharing more details.

“They are at their most open when out interacting with members of the public and I can see a world in which the princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements. If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it.”

A source added: “They will want to be clear and more open, but they’ll do it when they feel ready. I would expect that to be her instinct and it will be her call. They’re not going to be rushed.”

– with Elizabeth Pike

Originally published as Online speculation still rife after Kate and Wills pictured at farm shop

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/kate-middleton-filmed-in-public-for-the-first-time-since-christmas/news-story/7140d9cb0282a203c10ade06fccd423a