Kate Middleton Spotted On Rare Outing Amid Rumors About Her Health & Whereabouts

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, was recently spotted out and about for the first time since her hospitalization was announced.

Due to her disappearance from the public eye amid recovery from abdominal surgery, speculations about the princess' health heightened when her husband, Prince William, pulled out from his Godfather's memorial service for a "personal matter."

A rep for Kate has since shut down rumors about her disappearance, referencing the initial announcement by Kensington Palace.

Kate has seemingly put rumors about her whereabouts and health to rest as she was seen in public for the first time since being hospitalized.

In the photos, shared by a news outlet, Kate looked somber while riding in the passenger seat of an SUV driven by her mother, Carole Middleton. The princess sported sunglasses with her brunette hair worn down her shoulders as usual. But, she looks healthy.

On January 17, Kensington Palace announced that the 42-year-old was hospitalized at the London Clinic and recovering after undergoing abdominal surgery.

"The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in the hospital for ten to fourteen days before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter," a statement from Kensington Palace read at the time.

Her last public appearance was on December 25, when she and her spouse, Prince William, along with their three kids, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte, attended the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.

The statement from the Palace further noted that Kate "appreciates the interest this statement will generate" and that she hopes "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."

It concluded: "Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share. The Princess of Wales wishes to apologize 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."

See the photos of Kate Middleton here.

Recently, rumors were rife about the princess' health and whereabouts. Royal fans were worried as Kate, unlike her father-in-law, King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer, had yet to make a public appearance since her hospitalization in January.

To add fuel to the fire, Kate's husband, Prince William, suddenly pulled out of an official engagement, his Godfather, King Constantine II of Greece's memorial, over a "personal matter." This further worsened the rumors surrounding Kate's health.

However, a rep for the princess addressed the rumors in a statement to UsWeekly. It read: "Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess' recovery and we'd only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands."

The rep further asserted that the mother of three is doing well and taking her time to recover fully from her surgery.

A Royal source previously commented on Kate's well-being after a journalist from a Spanish news program alleged that she was in a coma due to health complications from the surgery.

The source said, "There is absolutely no truth to the report that Kate was in a coma. She is recovering at home."

After her successful abdominal surgery, sources close to Kate confirmed to PeopleMagazine that she is in good health.

After her short stay at the London Clinic, Kate returned to Adelaide Cottage, her and William's private residence near Windsor Castle, where she has been recovering.

Ingrid Seward, a royal biographer, spoke about her recuperation at the time: "I'm sure she's utterly exhausted, but she'll recover well." Kensington Palace also released a statement and noted that the princess is "making good progress" in her recovery after the surgery.

In the statement, the Palace said that Kate and William are extremely grateful to the medical team that cared for her, "especially the dedicated nursing staff."

They didn't share any further information about the nature of her abdominal condition, but it's confirmed that it's noncancerous.