LONDON – Britain’s Princess of Wales Kate Middleton thanked the public on March 10 for their support in her first public message since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, posting a picture of herself with her three children.

The photograph, taken by her husband, heir to the throne Prince William, showed the princess, 42, smiling and looking healthy surrounded by their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” she wrote in a message on X. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.”

Mother’s Day is celebrated on March 10 in Britain. The photograph was taken earlier this week in Windsor, where the family live, her Kensington Palace office said.

The princess, who is also the Duchess of Cambridge, spent two weeks in hospital in January after having surgery for a non-cancerous but unspecified condition.

She has not been seen in public since, and Kensington Palace has said she is unlikely to return to official duties until after Easter, which falls at the end of this month.

There have been rumours and some wild speculation on social media in recent weeks about the health of the princess, who has been absent from public royal life since Christmas Day.

Her office released a statement earlier this month, reiterating that it would be providing only “significant updates” about her recovery.

The princess’ surgery came on the same day that palace officials said King Charles, 75, would also be entering hospital for treatment for an enlarged prostate.

During the King’s hospital stay, his medical team discovered that he had an unspecified form of cancer. The monarch has had to postpone his public engagements while he undergoes treatment, although he has been pictured carrying out some of his duties as head of state. REUTERS