The Princess of Wales’ royal return from surgery has either been accidentally or wrongly announced.

It comes after the Princess of Wales, 42, had “planned major abdominal surgery” in January.

While she was this week photographed in public for the first time since Christmas, there has been rampant speculation about her wellbeing – but no significant update about her elongated absence – other than that she’d had surgery.

The UK Ministry of Defence has now announced Middleton will step out to “review dress rehearsal at Horse Guards Parade for the Trooping of the Colour on June 8”.

“Kensington Palace insiders have not confirmed her attendance,” a report from The Sun said.

It also stated she might be back before June.

It appears the Ministry of Defence hopes Kate will be well enough to attend the event.

But only Kensington Palace, the official office of Kate and husband Prince William, can announce her attendance at a royal event and confirmation is not expected until nearer the time.

The royal statement announcing her surgery in January read: “The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.

“She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”

Tickets are being sold on the site for the military spectacle, which will take place on June 8. It is followed a week later by the main Trooping the Colour ceremony, which is normally reviewed by the monarch.

The website names the King as attending the main Trooping ceremony  (also known as the Birthday Parade, as it marks the sovereign’s official anniversary) with bookings being taken for a ballot for tickets.

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Kate left hospital on January 29 and is recuperating at her Adelaide Cottage home close to Windsor Castle after undergoing abdominal surgery.

She has not been seen in public since the royals attended church on Christmas morning, and is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

Earlier this week, an image circulating online showed the princess, wearing sunglasses, sitting in the front seat of a car being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.

Prince William has also been on limited duties during his wife’s recuperation. Last week, he was in Wales to mark St David’s Day – pulling a pint with Hollywood star Robert McElhenney at Wrexham football club, among other outings.

The King was diagnosed with an unspecified cancer about the same time as his daughter-in-law had her surgery. He has since postponed all public-facing duties but continues with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers and some in-person meetings.

The King was pictured this week during a pre-budget audience with British Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at Buckingham Palace, ahead of the politician’s major financial statement on Wednesday.

-with AAP