KATE'S Mother’s Day photo is “the most important picture of the Princess in years”, The Sun’s royal editor has claimed.
The royal today thanked the public for their continued support and shared an unseen photo of the Princess with her children on Instagram.
The post comes after social media was flooded with conspiracy theories over her whereabouts as rumours about her health began to swirl.
The photo was the first officially released since her abdominal surgery in January.
Now The Sun’s Royal editor Matt Wilkinson has revealed the importance of the picture.
He explained: “The is one of the most photographed women in the world, but this one today is perhaps one of the most important we have seen for many years.
“She’s looking well and she’s smiling and hopefully this will now dispel any of these crazy myths that have been going around online.
“There has been a lot of nonsense on social media platforms about Kate’s condition.
“Kensington Palace has had to come out and speak about the utter madness of some of the comments and crazy conspiracy theories that have been posted online.
“Kensington Palace has faced criticism in recent weeks for not giving updates on the Princess of Wales but they’ve always maintained that she is doing well.”
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But international picture agencies Reuters, AP and AFP have all issued "mandatory kill" warnings for the family photo.
Royal fans spotted that eight-year-old Charlotte's hand does not line up with her red jumper sleeve in the picture.
It is standard practice for picture agencies to withdraw edited images.
In its "kill notice", AP said: "At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image."
Unfounded online rumours were fuelled when Prince William unexpectedly pulled out of a memorial service last week where he was expected to give a reading.
Kate, 42, underwent the “planned abdominal surgery” in January at the London clinic.
The central London private hospital also treated The King while he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Kensington Palace said at the time Kate was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
At the time, the mum-of-three apologised for postponing her Royal engagements following the surgery which was not cancer-linked.
The statement read: "The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.
The Princess of Wales is one of the most photographed women in the world, but this one today is perhaps one of the most important we have seen for many years.
The Sun's Matt Wilkinson
"She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."
The palace previously said the public "will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible".
Kate initially went back to Windsor before continuing her recovering at the family's Norfolk country home, Anmer Hall.
Last week, mum-of-three Kate was seen for the first time since her hospital operation.
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Timeline of Royal health battles
HERE is a date-by-date rundown of the health battles to have struck the Royals this year.
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery.
JAN 17: It is announced that the King is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside.
JAN 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen.
JAN 21: It is announced Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a skin cancer.
JAN 23: Kate’s hospital stay passes one week. JAN 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment.
JAN 29: The King is discharged from hospital. Kate leaves the same day.
JAN 31: Queen Camilla announces that the King is “getting on, doing his best”.
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces the King has cancer, but not of the prostate, and will not carry out public-facing duties.
FEB 18: The King appears in good spirits as he attends a Sunday church service in the grounds of Sandringham.
FEB 23: The King filmed crying and chuckling while opening some of the 7,000 cards from well-wishers.
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate's health.
MARCH 4: Kate Middleton pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate.
MARCH 10: Princess Kate speaks publicly for the first time since her surgery and shares touching photo for Mother's Day
The Princess of Wales was in the passenger seat as mum Carole, 69, drove her in an Audi near Windsor Castle on Monday.
She was wearing sunglasses and appeared to be smiling slightly in her first sighting since her abdominal operation.