The Princess of Wales, who has stayed out of the public eye since surgery in January, issued the photo to thank people for their support
Kate Middleton is surrounded by love on the U.K.’s Mother’s Day.
The Princess of Wales, 42, has appeared in a new photo while being celebrated by Prince William and their three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — as she continues her recovery from her abdominal surgery in January.
Kate is seen in the newly-released picture on Instagram smiling while surrounded by her children as husband William, 41, took the photo at Windsor a few days ago. It is the first official picture of Kate that has been released since her abdominal surgery of Jan. 16.
Accompanying the photo was a message from Princess Kate thanking the public for their continued support as she also wished other families Happy Mother’s Day.
“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day,” Kate wrote in the caption, signing off with a C at the end.
The joyful picture sees the princess sitting in a chair as her three children are gathered around their mother, and George with his arms around her.
This is the first time that a family shot taken by William has been issued.
Last year on the holiday that is often called “Mothering Sunday” in Britain, she released a never-before-seen image featuring her with the three children taken by photographer Matt Porteous with the caption, “Happy Mother’s Day from our family to yours.”
The celebration of mothers came just a few days after Princess Kate was seen for the first time since her surgery on a car ride with her mother, Carole Middleton, 69, near her Windsor home. That had been the first time Princess Kate had been pictured in public since December 25.
On Jan. 17, the palace revealed that she had undergone abdominal surgery the previous day. It has not been revealed what the issue was that made the procedure necessary, but PEOPLE understands it was non-cancerous.
Princess Kate spent 13 days in the London Clinic before she left for home to continue her recovery. The palace said she would not return to public duties until at least Easter.
At the time of the surgery, her office at Kensington Palace said, “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that 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,” the statement continued.
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”
A palace source told PEOPLE recently that Kate “continues to be doing well” during her recovery from the surgery.
Princess Kate’s father-in-law, King Charles, 75, was also cared for at the London Clinic earlier this year when he underwent a procedure to correct a benign prostate enlargement. The monarch has since announced that he is undergoing treatment for cancer.
