‘Exactly what the nation needed!’ Princess Kate ‘understood’ public concerns as decision to release picture explained

The Princess of Wales is seen beaming alongside her children as she sends her Mother’s Day well-wishes.

The image will come as a relief to many with Kate’s absence from public life sparking fears her health troubles could be worse than first feared.

But Kensington Palace appears to have quelled those concerns with the photo, and GB News presenter Ellie Costello acknowledged the positive effect it will have.

“It’s exactly what the nation needed”, she said.

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“They needed that reassurance. They needed to see the Princess of Wales.”

Co-host Anne Diamond added: “That is a photograph the nation wanted to see.

“I’m so glad they understood that we needed to see that and to make the point it is a very recent photograph.

“Even the domestic side to it, it’s a photo like anybody would have. They have kept it very close and decided to share it with us.”

In a message accompanying the photograph, Kate says: “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.

“Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C.”

The photo is the first released of the princess since she was admitted to the London Clinic – the private hospital where the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate – for a planned operation on January 16.

In January, the Palace revealed she had undergone abdominal surgery the previous day.

It is yet to be revealed what the issue was that make the procedure necessary.

Kate spent 13 days in the London Clinic before she went home to continue her recovery.

The Palace confirmed she would not return to public duties until after Easter.