Fluffed up & strange:

Big worry after first photo of Princess Kate

Duchess Kate as we know her. In a paparazzo photo that is circulating, she looks completely changed. Palace insiders are wondering what has happened and how unwell she really is.

(Bild: APA/AP)

For 70 days - until Monday - there had been no sign of life from Princess Kate following her serious abdominal operation, when a paparazzo in Windsor managed to snap a photo of the wife of the heir to the British throne in the car as a passenger next to her mother. But the joy at the return of the popular princess is muted, the worry is too great and has even been intensified by this. Because: Kate's face looks completely strange and bloated.

The images, which have not been published by the British media but are now circulating on social media, show a serious and bloated-looking woman with fringed hair next to Carole Middleton in an Audi.

Sensitivity to light and water retention
Both women are visibly tense in the blurry shots. Kate's dark sunglasses cover her eyes, which also gives rise to speculation as her mother, who does drive, doesn't wear any. A palace insider told the Bild newspaper that they were very worried about the princess because of the pictures. "She looks tired and under attack. We are worried."

The reasons for Kate's swollen face and sensitivity to light could be strong medication that she has been taking since the operation to relieve pain. This could also have led to water retention.

Princess still "weak"
According to the insider, Kate is still "weak". However, the outing with her mother was not the first.

She had been secretly leaving her cottage for a week now. The mother of three had picked up her children George, Charlotte and Louis from school by car, but she had never driven herself. Prince William or her mother always chauffeured her.

"Carole is Kate's great support," the source told Bild. "Since the operation, she has dropped everything at home to look after her daughter and grandchildren. It's touching to see how close Kate and her mother are."

In February, the Princess also spent time with her children and husband at her country estate Anmer Hall in Norfolk. 

Long road back
The road back to public life will still take some time for Princess Kate. But the first steps have been taken and give cause for optimism.

Princess Kate had to undergo an operation in a private clinic in mid-January for an abdominal problem that the palace did not specify.

It was only said that it was not cancer. Only after two weeks was she discharged into home care, where she will have to take it easy until after Easter. However, it remains unclear exactly when she is expected to return to the public eye. 

Princess Kate is said to still be very weak.

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Ian Vogler)

"Trooping" confusion
A report that she would appear at rehearsals for the "Trooping the Color" parade in June at the latest was retracted a day later by the British Army after the palace refused to confirm it.

King Charles is also currently on sick leave. He was diagnosed with cancer during a routine operation in February. Again, there are no further details, only that it is not prostate cancer. The King is undergoing treatment and is being represented by other senior members of the royal family.