On Friday afternoon, Princess Kate Middleton released a video update regarding her health, sharing that she had major abdominal surgery in London in January, initially believed to be for a non-cancerous condition. Despite a successful operation, subsequent tests revealed cancer. She is now undergoing preventative chemotherapy as recommended by her medical team.
Two months have passed until Kensington Palace announced that Middleton had undergone abdominal surgery. During these two months, the interweb was abuzz with speculations about the princess's health. Reports of discomfort, weight loss and other cruel rumors became headlines on news sites worldwide.
Yet, the palace tried to reassure the public, sharing a photo of Middleton with her three children on Mother's Day. However, doubts arose regarding the authenticity of the photo and the palace was forced to admit that it had undergone considerable editing, a fact Middleton herself joked about in her statement.
After her cancer diagnosis announcement on Friday, social media erupted with accusations against the palace and the heir to the throne, criticizing them for poorly handling photo edits during the princess's chemotherapy treatments.
Middleton's video aimed to quell conspiracy theories surrounding her condition, yet it inadvertently depicted the Royal Family as cold, lacking empathy and perhaps even somewhat cruel. Middleton, undergoing chemotherapy treatments, is shown sitting alone on a bench in the garden, speaking about her illness with a pale face and a trembling voice.
Kate clarified the mystery of her condition, describing the diagnosis as a shock for her and William as they sought to handle it privately for their young family. She noted the challenge of recovering from surgery before beginning treatment and emphasized the importance of taking time to explain the situation to their children, George, Charlotte and Louis, in an age-appropriate manner, ensuring them of her well-being.
The palace's public relations efforts have been, at best, disastrous. Far from quelling rumors, they have consistently intensified them. This includes the staged Mother's Day photo, Middleton's unexplained exit from the palace and the statement on February 27 claiming her health was improving—ironically the same day Prince William unexpectedly withdrew from the Greek king's memorial and Middleton was informed of her illness.
The palace's silence on Middleton's health, rather than transparency, led to rampant speculation. Providing more detailed updates than merely stating she is "recovering well" could have changed the narrative.
Given that King Charles's diagnosis was revealed shortly after receiving test results, the handling of Middleton's cancer diagnosis raises questions, possibly implying her condition is more serious than the king's.
Prince William, long favored by the British public and still harboring resentment toward King Charles for his treatment of his mother Princess Diana, has seen his wife, Middleton, become the beloved princess akin to her late mother-in-law—approachable, amiable and joyous, effortlessly filling Diana's royal role. However, it appears William has opted to tread in his father's more controversial path.