The Princess of Wales has thanked the public for their support in her first comments since abdominal surgery.

The comments accompanied a photo of Kate and her children – taken by her husband the Prince of Wales at Windsor during the week – posted on social media to mark Mother’s Day in Britain.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” she said in the post.

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

Tweet from @KensingtonRoyal

However, a storm was brewing on Monday (Australian time) as some major photo agencies have refused to distribute the snap, claiming it has been “manipulated at source” – meaning by Kensington Palace.

Major concerns centre around the absence of Kate’s wedding and engagement rings, and claims of “editing fails” in Princess Charlotte’s arm and younger brother Prince Louis’s fingers.

Kensington Palace is yet to comment on the accusations.

Tweet from @chrisshipitv

The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Charlotte and Louis, who are on either side of her. Eldest son Prince George stands behind, as all four smile at the camera.

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

The King, 75, visited his daughter-in-law’s bedside after being admitted himself on January 26 – the 11th day of Kate’s stay.

She was also visited by her husband, William.

Kate, 42, left the hospital on January 29 – almost two weeks later – and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

Details of the princess’s condition have not been revealed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

The future queen was last pictured in public during a Christmas Day walk in Sandringham, Norfolk.

Last week, paparazzi snaps emerged apparently showing Kate in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by her mother, Carole Middleton near the Wales’ Windsor home. The shots were distributed widely in the US, but have not appeared in the British media.

Kensington Palace also made no comment on the unofficial photos.

Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

William, 41, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children.

He carried out his first public engagements since her surgery in early February.

-with AAP