London: Kate, the UK's Princess of Wales, conveyed gratitude to the public for their support in her first public communication after her abdominal surgery in January.

She shared a photo, clicked by her husband Prince William, the heir to the throne, looking cheerful and in good health with her three children—Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

"Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months," Kate wrote in a message on X. "Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day."

Britain celebrates Mother's Day on Sunday.

According to her Kensington Palace office, the photo was taken earlier this week in Windsor, where the family resides.

Kate, 42, underwent surgery for a non-cancerous condition in January, spending two weeks in the hospital, according to a Reuters report.

She hasn't been publicly seen since then, and Kensington Palace stated that she's not expected to resume official duties until after Easter, which is at the end of this month, it said.

In recent weeks, there has been speculation and rumours circulating on social media about the princess's health, as she has been absent from public royal engagements since Christmas Day.

Earlier this month, her office reaffirmed that it would only issue "significant updates" regarding her recovery.

Kate underwent surgery on the same day palace officials announced that King Charles, 75, would be hospitalized for treatment for an enlarged prostate.