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By Jack Royston
Chief Royal Correspondent
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Kate Middleton's ongoing absence from public royal duties has sparked a tidal wave of memes and social media theories framing her as "missing" as she recovers from surgery.
The Princess of Wales was last seen in public on Christmas Day when she attended church at Sandringham, the royal family's country retreat in the East of England.
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Where is Kate Middleton?
Kate then went under the knife at The London Clinic on January 16 before being discharged and returning home to Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor, the home she shares with Prince William and her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Since then, the family reportedly returned to Sandringham, where they have their own country home, Anmer Hall, over the school half-term holidays.
They then returned to Windsor where George, Charlotte and Louis go to Lambrook School.
The mystery around Kate in reality is less about her physical location and more the reason why Kensington Palace has not released a picture of her since her operation.
There have been updates on her recovery, the first announcing the operation, the second when she was discharged from the hospital and again on Tuesday when Prince William pulled out of giving a reading at his Godfather's memorial service.
Aides said Kate continues to be doing well six weeks on from the operation but did not go into detail about why William canceled his planned appearance at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, saying simply that it was a "personal matter."
Kensington Palace told Newsweek on Thursday: "As we have been clear since our initial statement in January, we shall not be providing a running commentary or providing daily updates."
When Will Kate Middleton Be Seen Next?
Kensington Palace said in January that she would be stepping out of public duties until after Easter. There is always the possibility she could release a new picture at any moment, and doing so would certain quell the social media speculation.
However, the first moment at which royal watchers might be on the look out for a return will be over Easter when for the last two years the Waleses have gone to church at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Kate's return to actual public duties could well stretch beyond Easter Sunday, on March 31, as her children will be off school for the Easter holidays until April 17.
Other upcoming events when Kate would ordinarily be seen include the Chelsea Flower Show, which this year is from 21 to 25 May.
The royals also often mark Mental Health Awareness Week from May 13 to May 19.
All those dates are, of course, subject to the princess have sufficiently recovered from her surgery to be able to appear in public again.
In the event that she still has not been seen by June, there is a major date in her diary that month which would be significant for her to miss.
Kate is due to conduct the Trooping the Color Colonel's Review for the first time on June 8 and the British Ministry of Defense website still lists her as attending.
For the princess to miss such a big moment, one week before the king's birthday parade, would increase concern in Britain. However, according to the palace timeline she should be back on public duties by then.
Jack Royston is Newsweek*'s chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on* Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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