A new report has revealed that Kate Middleton “could address” her recent health issue at her next public engagement.
This comes after Kate recently returned home to Windsor after receiving abdominal surgery.
Last month, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales was being treated in hospital after undergoing the planned procedure.
However, on March 10, the 42-year-old broke her silence on social media to share a photo of herself and her children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, to celebrate Mother’s Day in the UK.
However, things took a dramatic turn when several of the world’s biggest international photo agencies said the photograph issued of Kate and her three children had been “manipulated”.
The Associated Press (AP) Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Getty Images all separately issued a “kill notice” to media organisations around the globe, confirming they had each deleted the image from their individual libraries.
Kate later issued an apology in a statement shared on social media.
She wrote: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.
“I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
Despite the ongoing speculation and controversy surrounding the Princess, Prince William and Kate are still expected to uphold the annual tradition of releasing a new photograph marking their children’s birthdays.
Prince Louis turns six on April 23.
An aide told The Sunday Times: “They appreciate the public’s love and affection for their children and know there is a public appetite to see them on their birthdays.”
Sources close to the couple say no “firm decision” has been taken yet on whether Kate will point the camera or leave it to a professional photographer.
A royal source said: “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. 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.”
A source close to Kate says she wanted to “bring a bit of joy” with what was intended as a reassuring image to thank the public for their support during her recovery from abdominal surgery in January.
The 42-year-old was admitted to The London Clinic on January 16 for the planned procedure.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace previously said that the Princess is “making good progress”.
They continued: “The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.
“The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
In a previous statement, a spokesperson said: “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.”
“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.”
Kats is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.
The Prince of Wales, however, returned to public duties last month.
