Speculation about the Princess of Wales’ health has been branded “village gossip” and “wrong by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Kate Middleton was admitted to The London Clinic in January where she underwent abdominal surgery.

Since then, speculation about her health has been rife online.

The Most Rev Justin Welby told Times Radio: “I think we are obsessed by conspiracy and we have little sense of the humanity of those who are caught in the glare of the news.”

Falmouth Packet: Kate was seen enjoying the outing just one mile from her home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.

Mr Welby added: “People should be allowed to be ill, have an operation, whatever it is, and live their lives in peace without people demanding they prove something every other day.

Blaming the internet for exacerbating the problem, he said: “It’s extremely unhealthy. It’s just old-fashioned village gossip that can now go round the world in seconds and we have to turn away from that.

“Gossiping in that way is wrong.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer echoed the sentiments, saying people should “butt out” and allow the Princess of Wales to have privacy while she recovers from surgery.

Asked if he feels sorry for Kate, he told Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine: “Yes. I think that we should leave her alone.

“She’s had a difficult operation, and she deserves privacy.”

He added: “We should just butt out and leave her alone… That’s not really a political response, it’s a human response, as a dad and a human being.”

Yesterday The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery in January, released a statement amid claims staff tried to access Kate Middleton’s medical records.

The clinic has vowed that all appropriate steps will be taken when dealing with the alleged data breach.

CEO Al Russell said: “Everyone at the London Clinic is acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality.

"We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day.

"We have systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken.

"There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues."

Up to three people could have been involved in the alleged accessing of Kate’s private details after she was discharged from the London Clinic on January 29, the Mirror reported.

Health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom said t he alleged attempt to access the Princess of Wales’ medical records is “outrageous”.

She told Sky News: “Obviously, it is a matter for the Information Commissioner but it is the case that every patient has the right to their privacy.”