LONDON – A laughing Prince William was back at work on March 19, a day after the first footage emerged of his wife Catherine since her surgery two months ago, which showed the British royal looking fit and healthy.

The Princess of Wales, 42, has been the focus of speculation, rumour and bizarre conspiracy theories on social media, leading to headlines and intrigue around the world, during her absence from royal duties after she had abdominal surgery for a non-cancerous but unspecified condition in January.

On March 18, a video published by The Sun newspaper on its website showed the smiling Princess, popularly known as Kate, walking and carrying shopping bags alongside her husband, the heir to the throne, at a farm shop in Windsor near their home.

Filmed by a member of the public on March 16, it was the first footage of the Princess taken since Christmas Day. Kensington Palace has not denied that the video is genuine, but has declined to comment on a matter it regards as the royals’ private time.

“If that video of Catherine sort of walking quite briskly with a shopping bag doesn’t put an end to this frankly wild and baseless speculation, then I’m not sure what will,” said Ms Katie Nicholl, royal author and correspondent at Vanity Fair magazine.

Since the Princess was hospitalised in January, her office has stuck to its official line that she was recovering well and that it would provide only significant updates, in keeping with the royal mantra of “never complain, never explain”.

‘Just leave them alone’

She is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, which falls on March 31, her office said.

However, that has led to online rumours, and Kate’s apology earlier in March for editing a photo taken by William of her and her three children to mark Mother’s Day only sparked further intrigue.

“I think people just have to accept that that is the case, and these wild, conspiracy theories, and... quite irresponsible conjecture and speculation on social media, is just fuelling a narrative that is a fake narrative,” Ms Nicholl told Reuters.

On March 19, Prince William visited Sheffield in northern England to unveil new investment in his project to tackle homelessness, one of his main campaigning issues.

He made no reference to the ongoing speculation about his wife, and looked relaxed as he laughed and joked with staff and volunteers.

The Princess’ illness also comes at the same time as her father-in-law, King Charles, is undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer, meaning that he too has been forced to postpone public engagements.

Such has been the febrile gossip about the royals that the British embassies in Ukraine and Moscow even posted statements on X on March 18 to clarify that fabricated reports on social media that the King had died were indeed fake.

The King has generally maintained a more visible profile as he keeps up with official state duties while undergoing treatment, and was pictured on March 19 meeting veterans from the Korean War at Buckingham Palace.

While the online world remains awash with rumour, outside the palace, passers-by said the Princess and the King should be allowed to recover in peace.

“I think that people should just leave them to get on with their lives,” said Mrs Judy Bradley, 61.

“It’s nice to see her, I’m glad she’s in good health, hopefully everything is well, but I think, just leave them alone.” REUTERS