A father who filmed the Princess of Wales’ first public appearance since undergoing surgery has slammed “delusional” trolls whipping up conspiracy theories.
Nelson Silva spotted Kate as she was seen shopping with Prince William near the couple’s home in Windsor over the weekend.
The 40-year-old said Kate and the Prince of Wales looked “relaxed and happy” as they visited Windsor Farm Shop, which is situated on the Royal Estate and is around a mile from Adelaide Cottage.
The sightings follow weeks of mounting speculation as to the princess’s health, with some on social media even claiming that the woman in the video was not the royal but a body double.
Mr Silva, who encountered the Princess of Wales in the meat section of the farm shop, told the Sun: “I'm not so much shocked that these comments have continued, I'm just confused how exactly they can continue.
“This is a video clearly showing her and William. I saw them with my own eyes. It was a completely relaxed situation.
“What more do you need to lay off her? I thought after this was released they'd go quiet. But these people are so invested in the drama now.
“They’ve put so much time and energy into these rumours and lies that they can’t pull the plug.
“Even famous people are guilty. People with a large platform online — they can’t admit they are wrong now because they look so delusional.”
The father believed releasing the footage would put an end to any wild rumours surrounding Kate's health.
He explained that Kate and Prince William were talking to staff and laughing inside the farm shop.
When asked what he would say to conspiracy theorists, Mr Nelson said they should “get a hobby”.
He said: "This is a mother who has had an operation and people should not be speaking about her in this manner.
“The people saying nasty things and jumping on the bandwagon, I think they just want to get likes. It is very sad. I’ve had operations and know what the recovery is like.
“Kate just wanted to take a walk with her husband. She looks well. I’d say, ‘Draw a line under it now’.”
Kate underwent “planned abdominal surgery” at the London Clinic on January 16. She left the private hospital on January 29 – almost two weeks later – and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
Details of her condition have been kept private. Kensington Palace previously said only that it was not cancer-related, and that Kate was not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.
Until the weekend, Kate has only been seen travelling inside a car since her surgery.
To mark Mother’s Day, a photograph of Kate with her children Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George was issued via the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Twitter account.
But the photo further stoked rumours swirling about the princess’ welfare, where it was revealed the image had been doctored, prompting international picture agencies and the UK’s PA news agency to withdraw it with a rare “kill” notice.
Concerns were raised over a missing part of Princess Charlotte’s sleeve and the misaligned edge of her skirt, with other speculation including the positioning of Kate’s zip.
Kate publicly took the blame and apologised with a statement on social media, saying: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.
“I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
Despite calls for the original to be published, Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the unedited photograph taken by William of Kate and the couple’s children.
The Palace faced growing pressure over the debacle with the controversy branded damaging to the public’s trust in the royal family.
Palace insiders insisted the “entirely innocent” mistake was an attempt to make the family portrait the best it could be and said Kate hoped the row would die down after her apology.
Friends of the Princess of Wales reportedly said she may speak about her health on future public engagements.
A source told The Sunday Times: “[The Prince and Princess of Wales] are at their most open when out interacting with members of the public and I can see a world in which the princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements. If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it.”
