Prince William breaks cover with Queen Camilla at royal event — but Kate stays out of public eye
Prince William mingled with his step-mother Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family on Monday for a major event — as questions continued to swirl about the condition of his wife Kate Middleton following the release of a doctored photograph.
The Princess of Wales was seen in a car going to the Commonwealth Day service with her husband, but did not attend the event herself. She was reportedly attended a private appointment instead.
William — the next in line to the throne — as well as Camilla and his aunt and uncle Princess Anne and Prince Edward represented the royals family.
King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, made an appearance through a video message — but he made no mention of his daughter-in-law.
Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration of the 56 nations and states that were once part of the British Empire, and remain united under a voluntary association led by the UK and Royal Family.
Founded in 1949, some 2.5 billion people are a part of the Commonwealth spanning the globe from Canada to India to numerous nations across Africa and the Caribbean.
Monday’s ceremony represented the Commonwealth’s 75th anniversary.
“The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey that our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949,” the king said.
“Whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future working together to build resilience and respond to global challenge,” he continued.
“The Commonwealth family is strongest when we are connected, through friendship.”
It marked yet another event missed by Middleton, who was last seen in public during a Christmas day ceremony.
Rumors have swirled about her after she went underwent abdominal surgery.
A photo celebrating UK Mother’s Day sparked even more questions after eagle-eyed observers noticed it was photoshopped — causing photo agencies to issue “kill notices.”