Palace Addresses Rumors and Conspiracy Theories About Kate Middleton’s Health in New Statement

Kensington Palace said they were “very clear from the outset” about the Princess of Wales’ recovery timeline.

The palace is making a rare statement about Kate Middleton’s recovery from abdominal surgery after the Princess of Wales became the subject of online speculation in recent days.

A spokesperson for Princess Kate said, “We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant.”

The spokesperson reiterated the princess, 42, is “doing well.”

Following Prince William’s unexpected withdrawal from a memorial service honoring his late godfather on Tuesday, concerns regarding Princess Kate’s welfare surged across the internet, fueling a wave of conspiracy theories — despite a palace source sharing on Tuesday that Kate “continues to be doing well” in her recovery.

In the initial statement about her surgery released on Jan. 17, one day after the operation, Kensington Palace said it was Princess Kate’s “wish that her personal medical information remains private.”

The palace added that they would “only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”

They also shared the expected timeline for her recovery, including a 10 to 14-day stay in the hospital post-surgery (she ended up leaving on Jan. 29, 13 days after the procedure) and a continued period of recovery at home with no return to public duties until after Easter.

It is sensible to take the time,” a source close to the royal household told PEOPLE. “That is a great example to the rest of us, as you’re often told to get back to work as soon as possible, which can be damaging. It is good for all of us to see her taking the time, recovering properly and then coming back. We can all learn from that.”

While Princess Kate has spent most of her recovery at their home in Windsor, she traveled to Anmer Hall, her and Prince William’s home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, with their three children while they were on a school break in February.

Catherine is recovering well,” a source told the Daily Mail at the time. “She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William.”