Members of the royal family have issued a new statement about the health of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and fans continue to breed theories surrounding her long absence from the public eye. How is Her Highness really doing now? And why has it taken her so long to appear in public?

When the Princess of Wales underwent elective abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said and reported that she would return to royal duties after Easter Sunday. This came as a real surprise to many.

In a new statement, representatives of the royal family tried to reassure fans after rumours emerged on social media about the possible whereabouts of Catherine, who has not been seen in public since Christmas Day.