Kate Middleton was seen just outside Windsor Castle on Monday, making her first public appearance. The Duchess hasn't been in public since December, when she was in church services.

In January, Kensington Palace announced that Middleton underwent a planned abdominal operation but would participate in a series of royal engagements following the Easter period. The 42-year-old sat in the passenger seat and sported round glasses, while her mother, Carole, drove the car.

A Kensington Palace representative, answering questions, said Middleton was "on the mend" and "doing well." Activity on sites such as X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok using the hashtag #WhereisKate has further fueled rumors about her health and whereabouts.

Even so, two weeks later, Prince Charles revealed that he had cancer from his own operations for benign prostate enlargement. The doctors ask that he keep off public contact as he receives treatments, whose type is supposed to be revealed later.

Charles thanked members of the public and stressed that he was bound to carry out his duties. Middleton, for her part, was said to be very sorry to cancel the engagement in the hope that at the earliest possible time she would be able to do the engagements.

The same hospital also treated King Charles III in January last year for a corrective prostate procedure. Charles paid tribute to the overwhelming support received and praised the increased attention given to cancer charities. In response, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak assured Charles of the country's support and solidarity.