It was initially stated by Kensington Palace that Kate would be returning to her royal engagements after Easter, though no further clarification has been given as to what exactly required surgery.

As a result, the imaginations of the public have been left to run wild, and conspiracy theories – ranging from the semi-realistic to the outright laughable – have run rampant across the internet.

Perhaps, then, the first sighting of Kate Middleton in 84 days will go some way to putting the most outlandish batches of speculation to bed once and for all. As per reports, the 42-year-old was spotted at the weekend visiting her favorite farm shop – an outing that saw her venture just one mile from Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

Onlookers are said to have told The Sun that Kate appeared “happy, relaxed and healthy” as she browsed products in the shop, with one person revealing that they were “shocked” to see her.

An eyewitness said: “After all the rumors that had been going round I was stunned to see them there. Kate was out shopping with William and she looked happy and she looked well. The kids weren’t with them but it’s such a good sign she was healthy enough to pop down to the shops.”

As stated above, sightings of Kate haven’t been ‘a thing’ for a number of months now, and the Royal Family have remained characteristically tightlipped as to the cause of her health woes.

Usually that’s par for the course for The Firm, and the public are well used to being kept the other side of the mysterious veil the Royal Family like to pull down whenever there’s something they’re keen on hiding.

Yet in this instance the secrecy has undoubtedly done more harm than good, with royal fans the world over convinced that not all is as meets the eye regarding Kate’s condition.

In any case, it’s certainly positive news to hear that the Princess is well enough to leave her home again after a worrying period of uncertainty.