Princess of Wales posts to social media to thank well wishers for the first time since abdominal surgery

The Princess of Wales has broken her silence for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, posting on social media to thank well-wishers.

Kate posted a photo of herself with her three children smiling to mark Mother’s Day, which is celebrated on March 10 in England this year.

She thanked everyone for their support after she took a step back from public duties due to a planned abdominal surgery on January 16.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” she wrote in the caption.

“Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.”

The photo was taken by Prince William.

The princess’ post comes after she was pictured for the first time since her surgery less than a week ago.

US gossip website TMZ published photos of Kate wearing sunglasses in the passenger seat of a car, which her mother Carole Middleton was driving near Windsor Castle.

The photos were taken shortly before 9am, suggesting the mother and daughter were returning from the school run.

On January 17, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had been admitted to The London Clinic the previous day for “planned abdominal surgery”.

It said the operation had been successful but would result in a two-week stay in hospital before a lengthy period of recuperation at her Windsor home.

They added that based on the current medical advice she was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

A spokesman stated that it was Kate’s personal wish to keep her personal medical information private and said it would only provide an update if there were “significant new information to share”.