Kate Middleton spotted! And she has an event on her calendar - or does she?

Kate was reported as spotted for the first time this year. TMZ released a photo alleging to show the Princess of Wales in the vicinity of Windsor Castle this past Monday. Captured by unapproved paparazzi, the image depicts her wearing dark sunglasses and seated in the passenger side of a black Audi, with her mother, Carole Middleton, at the wheel.

Kensington Palace has maintained a stance of providing no detailed updates regarding Kate's health, other than clarifying her surgery was non-cancerous.

Just last week, the palace reported that she was "continuing to recover well" following Prince William's withdrawal from a memorial service at Windsor Castle due to "personal reasons." Additionally, the Palace has expressed frustration over the "madness of social media," referencing the widespread speculation and rumors concerning her health

ITV’s Chris Ship tweeted: There are pap picture of the Princess of Wales. We are not running them out of respect for her privacy whilst she recovers from her operation in the timescale we were given for it. As far as I know, no other UK broadcaster or newspaper has published the photos either.

Richard Palmer of the Express tweeted: Anyway, one thing the story and photos should have done is put paid to some of the ludicrous rumours being put about on social media about Kate’s “disappearance”. Ignore those still peddling them.

Royal commentator Phil Dampier tweeted: The TMZ picture of the Princess of Wales is not a crisis. All it tells us is that she’s well enough to sit in a car. The same people who criticise UK tabloids are now asking why aren’t they publishing when you can see them online? You can’t win.

The photo was soon followed by reports of Kate having an item on her schedule - however there is some confusion this morning, as it was the British Army who apparently announced Kate would be part of Trooping the Colour.
Per the announcement, The Princess of Wales is slated to preside over the Colonel’s Review at this year's Trooping the Colour ceremony.

However, Royal Commentator Dickie Arbiter tweeted: Oh dear - it may appear that (the) British Army has jumped the gun re Trooping and the reviewers - it seems neither Buckingham Palace nor Kensington Palace has confirmed whether their principals will be on parade. So for now, just the Major General as that's his job. Watch this space

Rebecca English of the Daily Mail tweeted: This has not been confirmed by Kensington Palace, so appears to just be at the ‘planning’ stage at the moment. However the fact that it’s even being billed suggests the event was pencilled in before the Princess’ operation. So I’d say that’s a case for cautious optimism!

Cameron Walker of GB News tweeted: I understand Kensington Palace was not consulted about the British Army's announcement this morning. It appears The Princess of Wales' attendance is not guaranteed at this stage.

And the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden tweeted: I hope this is no cause for concern: Kensington Palace won't confirm the Princess of Wales's attendance at an event the Ministry of Defence announced. It is not until June 8 - ten weeks after Easter