The release of a photo of McConnell with his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, comes after she was criticised for travelling to China when her husband was unwell.

The Chinese government has confirmed Chao met Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng in Beijing on 17 June, three days after McConnell was admitted to hospital.

A spokesperson for Chao told the BBC earlier this week that McConnell's health "did not warrant an immediate return".

Calls for information about the condition of McConnell, who holds the title of the longest-serving Senate party leader in US history, grew as his hospital stay approached the one-month mark this week.

Applying even more pressure, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, sent a letter to McConnell's office earlier this week, urging the senator to be "transparent" and provide an update on his health amid growing concerns about his "ability to hold office".

McConnell was admitted for treatment on 14 June, according to his staff, who did not give any details about the reason for his hospital stay, or what kind of treatment he was receiving.

The Kentucky senator's team said on 2 July he was "receiving excellent care" and "continues to improve". But aside from that statement and some reported phone calls with a handful of people, he did not appear in public or in photos.

McConnell has faced a number of health challenges in recent years.

In 2024, he was injured after tripping outside a Senate lunch event, and earlier this year he was admitted to hospital for the flu.

He has said he will retire at the end of his term in the Senate.

"Part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work," he said in Sunday's statement.

"But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do."