Kate Middleton was reportedly seen out and about with Prince William near their home in Windsor, but hours went by before any photographic evidence was released, which continued the ongoing rumors and speculation about what is going on with the princess.
U.K. newspaper The Sun, as well as TMZ, released video of Middleton and Prince William visiting Windsor Farm Shop, which is a mile from her Adelaide Cottage residence.
The Sun reported that witnesses said the Princess of Wales looked “happy, relaxed and healthy,” accompanied by her husband.
It was reportedly a family day, as the couple watched their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis do sports activities, but they were not present at the farm shop.
Kate Middleton was reportedly spotted at a shop with Prince William near their home on Saturday, though no photos of the outing seem to exist. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
The palace did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
While the reporting indicates all is well with Middleton, the initial lack of photos cast even more doubt on the situation.
Royal broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital, “I believe it is more than possible that the Princess of Wales was spotted on a short trip, however the lack of definite updates is extremely unusual, and I can see that this is adding fuel to the conspiracy theorists’ fire and triggering a further sense of mistrust with the court of public opinion.”
Chard noted at the time that none of her sources had a definite confirmation of the sighting either.
Royal broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital the lack of any photos of the outing is “adding fuel to the conspiracy theorists’ fire.” (Frank Augstein – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital, “Alleged sightings of a happy William and Kate at a farm shop abound, but no visual evidence has only fueled speculation further.”
Given that the outing was a local one, British royals expert Hilary Fordwich thinks the community was willing to keep the outing more private.
“Somewhat circumspect there wasn’t even one photo from the Windsor Farm shop sighting, albeit one hopes that was due to respect from the locals, with whom she is held in most high regard,” she told Fox News Digital.
British royals expert Hilary Fordwich thinks the local community may have been willing to keep Kate Middleton’s outing more private, “albeit one hopes that was due to respect from the locals, with whom she is held in most high regard.” (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
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Before seeing video of the royal couple out and about, British broadcaster Jonathan Sacerdoti told Fox News Digital he doubted the outing even occurred.
“I think the chances of this being anything real are very slim,” he said. “The rumor mill seems to be on overdrive. I think people are getting very carried away with all this and need to move on.”
This outing is Middleton’s first visit to a public place since her abdominal surgery in January.
Earlier this month, she was spotted for the first time since the surgery in a car with her mom, Carole Middleton.
Kate Middleton was last pictured in public on Christmas Day. (Getty Images)
She was also photographed in a car last week with Prince William, a few days after the now infamous photo editing scandal blew up.
READ HERE FOR MORE ON KATE MIDDLETON’S PHOTO EDITING SCANDAL
Middleton isn’t expected to return for royal duties until Easter at the earliest.
The status of her health and whereabouts has been under scrutiny since she was last seen in public around Christmas.
“This has become the most confusing time with intrigue, rumor, allegations with spin coming from the Palace and counter spin coming from across the world, regarding what is really happening with the royal family,” Pelham Turner said.
Middleton is not expected to appear for any royal duties until Easter at the earliest. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
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“I have never known such a tsunami of royal upheaval ever in my time with the royals, it has now become so bad that I wake up every couple of hours to check my phone to see if anything has been sneaked out under the cover of darkness.”
The palace’s cryptic approach has also led people to speculate that King Charles’ health is more serious than previously indicated as well.
Pelham Turner said he has been informed that “there will be a major announcement regarding the royal family over the next 72 hours and this I am being informed is about King Charles.”
Whatever the news, Chard believes the palace cannot continue their current approach to providing information to the public.
The palace’s approach to providing information about Middleton has been an ongoing issue in the public’s mind. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
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“There needs to be a total overhaul of palace procedure as the general public are worried and now mistrusting of royal news,” she said. “People want timely factual updates along with current imagery. Widespread speculation is seriously undermining our industrious royal family.”
