Kate Middleton spotted with William on a visit to her favourite Windsor farm shop looking ‘happy, relaxed and healthy’

London: The Princess of Wales was reportedly spotted looking ‘happy, healthy and relaxed’ on a visit to a local farm shop over the weekend, marking the first time she has been seen out and about since undergoing planned abdominal surgery.

Kate and William were reportedly seen at one of their favourite spots, around a mile from their Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor on Saturday after having watched their three children – George, 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five – take part in sports.

The sighting at The Windsor Farm Shop will provide a much needed boost to the British public who have been growing more concerned about the Princess’ health in the midst of a tsunami of speculation over her unknown condition.

A witness who saw the couple told The Sun last night: ‘After all the rumours 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.’

While no pictures were taken of the couple – adhering to their request for privacy as Kate recovers – their reported appearance is an encouraging sign that she is taking her first steps towards a return to official royal engagements.

The Princess, who made her last public engagement at Sandringham on Christmas Day, is expected to return to public duty after April 17, when her children start back at Lambrook School, near Ascot, following the Easter Holidays.

Yet there is suggestion that Kate could now make an earlier return and may even be seen walking into the annual Easter Matins service at St George’s Chapel on the Windsor estate.