Kate, Princess of Wales. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Police have been asked to look at claims that at least one worker attempted to access the confidential medical records of Catherine, Princess of Wales during her hospitalisation for abdominal surgery, a minister said on Wednesday.

The request follows a report in the Daily Mirror newspaper which said at least one attempt was made to access the private information at The London Clinic, a private hospital in central London.

Catherine, who is widely known as Kate and whose husband is heir to the throne Prince William, spent two weeks there in January.

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

Health minister Maria Caulfield said the rules on accessing patient information were “very, very clear”.

“Unless you’re looking after that patient, or unless they’ve given you their consent, you should not be looking at patients’ notes,” she told LBC radio.

“My understanding is that police have been asked to look at it,” she said.

A statement from London’s Metropolitan Police said it was “not aware of any referral… at this time”.

Data ‘breach’ reported

The U.K.’s data protection watchdog meanwhile said it would examine the matter.

“We can confirm that we have received a breach report and are assessing the information provided,” a spokesperson for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said late on Tuesday.

In a statement to the Mirror, The London Clinic said: “We firmly believe that all our patients, no matter their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information.”

Kate was at the centre of controversy last week after she admitted editing an official portrait of her and her three children that was released by Buckingham Palace on Mothering Sunday.

It further stoked online speculation about her health and whereabouts after she had not been seen at a public event since a Christmas Day church service.

The palace had said in January she would require a lengthy recuperation and would not return to royal duties until at least April.

But instead of calming fears over her health, the edited picture sent the rumour mill into overdrive as media scrambled to pull the picture.

Catherine apologised but faced criticism even from usually supportive media.

British media have said that Catherine is still not due to return to public duties until mid-April.

New Delhi:

Amid speculation surrounding her months of public absence, the Princess of Wales, Catherine, is likely to address her health concerns at a public event.

Catherine, who is widely known by her maiden name of Kate Middleton, may discuss her recovery during her public engagements, the UK newspaper The Times reported on Saturday.

“I can see a world in which the princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements. If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it,” a royal source told The Times.

“I would expect that to be her instinct and it will be her call. They’re not going to be rushed,” the source was quoted as saying by the daily newspaper.

Kate and her husband, Prince William, are also expected to uphold the annual tradition of releasing a new photograph marking their children’s birthdays. Their youngest, Prince Louis, will turn six on April 23.

Kate Middleton Not Seen Since Abdominal Surgery

Kate Middleton, 42, has not been seen in public since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, fuelling speculation about her health.

An announcement on January 17 by the Kensington Palace office said that the Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic on January 16 for a “planned abdominal surgery”.

The surgery had been successful, it added, and Kate was expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days.

Based on medical advice at the time, the princess was “unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter” on March 31, the palace said

“She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible and her wish that her personal medical information remains private,” the statement added.

The palace said later the health concern was not related to cancer.

Kensington Palace Shares Kate Middleton’s “Altered” Picture

In a bid to dispel the rumours around her health, Kensington Palace shared an official photograph of Kate Middleton with her children on March 10.

The photograph, taken by William showed Kate smiling and looking healthy surrounded by Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” the palace issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), signed by “C” for Catherine. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.”

Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.

Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C

The Prince of Wales, 2024 pic.twitter.com/6DywGBpLLQ

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 10, 2024

The picture attracted huge media attention as it was her first official photograph since she spent two weeks in hospital after the surgery.

However, various leading news agencies said that it was an “altered” picture and withdrew the image.

Following social media backlash, Kate Middleton apologized and admitted to editing the photograph.

“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” the palace issued another statement, signed by “C”. “I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.”

Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024

The episode has since then heightened speculation about Kate’s current health condition.

(With agency inputs)

London:

Speculation surrounding the public absence of Catherine, Princess of Wales, has transitioned from a mere fascination among royal enthusiasts to a global phenomenon, igniting a plethora of theories and jokes across various social platforms, CNN reported.

Despite assurances from Kensington Palace regarding her planned abdominal surgery in January and subsequent withdrawal from public appearances until March, peculiar details such as grainy photographs, altered images, ambiguous medical updates, and sporadic communication from the British royal family have fueled widespread conjecture.

Catherine’s prolonged absence has spurred TikTok and X users to delve into a realm of bizarre conspiracy theories and humour, blurring the lines between genuine concern and comedic speculation.

Amateur detectives have meticulously crafted timelines and analyses of the princess’s activities, intertwining genuine apprehension with outlandish conjectures. Ordinary individuals, doubling as amateur photo forensics experts, have cast doubt on recent images of Kate, hypothesising about her true whereabouts and those purportedly attempting to conceal the “truth,” as reported by CNN.

Initially, the discourse surrounding Catherine’s absence elicited typical jests from the online comedy circuit, with suggestions ranging from whimsical notions of cosmetic procedures to humorous scenarios of personal reinvention.

However, the tone shifted markedly when a Mother’s Day photo featuring the princess and her children was suspected of being doctored, prompting a cascade of skepticism from typically supportive British media outlets and even international television programs, which openly ridiculed the unfolding saga.

Despite the mounting scrutiny and myriad jokes permeating social media platforms, Catherine has remained conspicuously absent from public view since December, intensifying public interest and speculation surrounding her circumstances. The ensuing uproar, rife with theories, analyses, jokes, and genuine concern, underscores the diverse ways in which people engage with and perceive the royal family.

The allure of palace intrigue is undeniable, drawing enthusiasts from across the globe to dissect every facet of royal life. Susan Graves, a UK expatriate residing in the US, reminisces about the aftermath of Princess Diana’s passing and the subsequent scandals, noting a perpetual fascination with the monarchy’s intricate dynamics.

Carly Wainsworth, an American immersed in royal gossip communities, likens the experience to solving a real-life mystery, emphasising the allure of uncovering secrets lurking beneath the surface.

Indeed, contemporary portrayals of the royal family in popular media, exemplified by productions such as “The Crown,” have reshaped public perception, fostering an atmosphere of skepticism and intrigue. Wainsworth, echoing a sentiment shared by many, harbors a perpetual suspicion towards individuals in positions of power, perpetuating a cycle of speculation and intrigue.

Amidst the fervent speculation, online communities such as “where TF is Kate Middleton” on X have flourished, attracting thousands of members eager to partake in the speculative frenzy. While some engage earnestly in unraveling the mystery, others indulge in lighthearted banter and imaginative scenarios, blurring the boundaries between fact and fiction, according to the CNN report.

As Catherine’s absence persists, media outlets have become increasingly emboldened in their speculation, with entertainment programs openly dissecting rumors surrounding the princess’s personal life.

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, encapsulates the conflicted sentiments pervading public discourse, oscillating between genuine concern for Catherine’s well-being and a voracious appetite for scandalous revelations.

However, amidst the clamour for answers, official communication from Kensington Palace remains inconsistent, further exacerbating tensions and fuelling conspiracy theories. Mark Borkowski, a crisis communications expert, highlights the detrimental impact of the royal family’s reticence in addressing rumours and providing transparent updates, exacerbating public skepticism and eroding trust.

While calls for privacy and rational explanations persist, the enduring fascination with the royal family underscores their enduring relevance as national figureheads. In a world where visibility is paramount, the British royals wield soft power through public engagements and symbolic gestures, captivating audiences and perpetuating a cycle of intrigue.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Catherine, Princess of Wales, epitomises the enduring allure of monarchy, transcending borders and captivating imaginations with its blend of mystery, scandal, and tradition, CNN reported.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)