U.K. Cricketer Says He's Seen Kate Middleton 'the Last Couple Days' amid 'Absurd' Conspiracy Theories

"W&K are the most wonderful parents and as normal/humble as they come," Kevin Pietersen said about the Prince and Princess of Wales

Kate Middleton's private recovery following abdominal surgery continues to fuel speculation about her health and whereabouts, prompting a familiar face in the cricket world to speak out.

On Tuesday, Kevin Pietersen shared a strong message on X to defuse rumors about the Princess of Wales, 42, who was seen on video for the first time since her surgery in footage published by TMZ on Monday.

"The conspiracy theories around Kate are absolutely absurd! We see W&K most days and in the last couple days too!" the retired cricket star said, referring to Prince William and Princess Kate.

"It beggars belief that people would be so ridiculous and cruel in writing BULLS--- on this platform that are out and out lies!" Pietersen continued. "W&K are the most wonderful parents and as normal/humble as they come. Let K who is recovering from an operation recover. Leave her and her beautiful family alone!!!!"

Related: Kate Middleton Sends a Subtle Message with Her Hoodie During Farm Shop Outing with Prince William

According to the Daily Mail, one of Pietersen's children attends the Lambrook School, where the Prince and Princess of Wales' three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, began attending in 2022.

Pietersen, 43, previously hosted cricket camps at Lambrook during school break, spreading a passion for the sport he retired from in 2018.

He helped England win the 2005 Ashes series and received his MBE from Queen Elizabeth the following year, as the entire men’s team received investitures for the honor. The recognition was celebrated with a reception at Buckingham Palace attended by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

In another royal connection, the South African-born athlete, conservationist and cricket commentator has previously supported United for Wildlife, which Prince William established as part of the Royal Foundation in 2014.

Pietersen, who is married to Jessica Taylor of the pop group Liberty X, spoke out a few days after The Sun reported that Princess Kate appeared "happy, relaxed and healthy" during a visit to the Windsor Farm Shop with Prince William on Saturday. The farm shop is about a mile from the couple's home at Adelaide Cottage, and the sighting was significant as the first time Kate had been seen in public since Kensington Palace announced that she had abdominal surgery on Jan. 16.

"Kate was out shopping with William, and she looked happy and she looked well," an onlooker told the outlet.

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In the 40-second clip obtained by TMZ, Princess Kate chatted as she walked with Prince William, 41, as they moved through a parking lot at the Windsor Farm Shop. The Prince and Princess of Wales both wore casual clothes and carried a shopping bag. Fan blogs have since identified Princess Kate’s black sweatshirt as an Umbro Men England Rugby Icon Hoodie, a show of support for the national rugby squad, for which she serves as patron, who had a match on Saturday night.

Prince William and Princess Kate didn’t bring along George, Charlotte and Louis for the shopping trip, but The Sun reported that the couple spent Sunday morning watching their kids play sports.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales have both spoken about their children's sporty sides, and the Lambrook School’s website states that "sport is very much part of the curriculum" for nursery and pre-prep students — with the amenities to match.

"Our facilities are second-to-none and include all-weather surface cricket, football, netball and hockey pitches, a well-equipped sports hall, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, dance studio, a nine-hole golf course and cricket squares of unsurpassed quality," the site says.

As the Princess of Wales continues her private recovery following abdominal surgery, as Kensington Palace said she is "unlikely to return to duties until after Easter," it’s no surprise that she and Prince William are keeping their children on a regular schedule. The palace statement announcing that Princess Kate had had surgery expressed her wish to "maintain as much normality for her children as possible" during this time.

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