Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, front, Princess Charlotte and Prince George arrive for the ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, London, on June 15, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance on Saturday since surgery five months ago revealed the presence of cancer.

Kate, wearing a pale outfit, rode in a carriage with her children at the “Trooping the Colour”, an annual military parade held in central London to mark the official birthday of the British monarch, King Charles.

In recognition of her growing role within the royal family, King Charles bestowed a new title upon Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales. She will now also be known as The Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour. This prestigious honour coincides with the birthday of her youngest son, Prince Louis, who turns six today. The palace released a new portrait to mark the occasion.

King Charles revealed that he gave the princess the honour to recognise the “esteem [in which] she is held”.

This distinguished title, awarded on St. George’s Day, recognizes her contributions alongside fellow recipients like J.K. Rowling and Sir Elton John, The Independent reported.

On a day of royal honours, Prince William was named Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and Camilla, the Queen Consort, received the Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.  

These celebrations come amidst a challenging time for the royal family, as both the Princess and King Charles are battling cancer.

The Princess’s diagnosis has required her to take a complete leave of public duty while she undergoes preventative chemotherapy. News of her health situation first emerged in January, when the palace announced a planned abdominal surgery and a recovery period extending through Easter.

Following months of speculation, the Princess of Wales announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer. 

The news of her diagnosis came just months after King Charles’s cancer diagnosis. 

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, on Friday, said that she has been diagnosed with cancer. The Princess added that she is currently undergoing preventative chemotherapy. In a video message, released on X (formerly Twitter) by the Kensington Palace, Kate Middleton added she is in the “early stages of that treatment.”

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024

Read the full text of her video message here:

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit.

Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now, I must focus on making a full recovery.

At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.

Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, revealed that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer in a personal video message released by Kensington Palace on Friday. She revealed that her condition was non-cancerous at the time of her surgery, but post-surgery tests “found cancer had been present.” The Princess underwent surgery on January 17.

What type of cancer has Kate Middleton been diagnosed with?

Kate Middleton’s exact form of cancer has not been specified. Various diagnostic tests, including blood tests, scans, and biopsies, were likely performed to detect the cancer, although details have not been revealed. Biopsy involves examining a small tissue sample under a microscope to identify abnormal cells.

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England, described the Princess’ cancer diagnosis as “shocking” but commended her for speaking out about it. “Speaking out about it is really brave and it can help others to get worrying signs and symptoms checked.”

Kate Middleton undergoing preventative chemotherapy

Upon medical advice, the Princess of Wales is undergoing preventive chemotherapy, a treatment aimed at killing cancer cells and stopping them from spreading. She stated she is in the early stages of the treatment, which began in late February after her abdominal surgery in January. The duration of her treatment will depend on ongoing medical advice and her response to the treatment.

Kate Middleton focused on recovery

Despite going through a tough time, Kate Middleton shared in her video message that she was feeling positive and was focused on recovering. “I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits,” she said, adding that she was looking forward to working but now “must focus on making a full recovery”. 

Both King Charles and Kate Middleton were diagnosed with cancer after being treated for other health issues. King Charles underwent a procedure for a prostate enlargement, during which they found a form of cancer. Similarly, the Princess of Wales discovered she had cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. However, the details of why she needed surgery have not been disclosed by Kensington Palace.

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.

Prince William recently talked about missing his wife, Kate Middleton, during a royal even in Sheffield, England, on Tuesday. During his speech, Prince William’s focus turned to the well-being of young children, making a light-hearted comment about his wife’s work on early childhood projects. “Venturing into my wife’s territory here. She needs to be sat here to hear this,” he said and smiled. 

 

During another interaction at the event, well-wisher Peter Brownley, 61, mentioned sending the Princess of Wales a ‘get well soon’ card. To this, Prince William replied, “You really are very kind,” according to Daily Mail.

Prince William had also mentioned his wife at a youth centre on March 14 after someone praised his cookies decorating skills. The Prince had modestly replied, “It’s really not impressive work. My wife is the arty one. My children are artier than I am.”

Kate Middleton has not been officially seen in public since Kensington Palace announced her planned abdominal surgery in January. The Prince’s visit came shortly after a video went viral allegedly showing the royal couple walking near their home at Windsor Farm Shop. 

Earlier, Kate posted a photo with her three children for Mother’s Day, but it was soon taken down by news agencies like AP, AFP, and Reuters which suspected that it was doctored. This sparked more speculation about her absence and led to conspiracy theories on the Internet. 

To clear up confusion, the Princess of Wales seemingly signed a statement shared on the official X account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, addressing concerns about the picture being photoshopped. “Like many amateur photographers, I do occassional 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,” the statement read, signed “C.” 

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

Meanwhile, recent reports suggest that the Princess is set to make an official public appearance during Easter.

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.)

Catherine, Princess of Wales on Monday apologised and admitted to editing an official portrait of her released by the palace after AFP and other agencies withdrew the image.

Kate, 42, has not been seen in public since attending a Christmas Day church service, and underwent abdominal surgery in January, fuelling speculation about her health, particularly online.

Her Kensington Palace office on Sunday sought to dispel rumours by distributing an official photograph said to have been taken by her husband Prince William of her with their three children.

But questions quickly emerged of the Mother’s Day portrait of a smiling Kate, casually dressed and seated in a garden chair, surrounded by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Discrepancies included several inconsistencies, such as Charlotte’s left hand being misaligned with the sleeve of her cardigan and a missing part of her sleeve.

The eight-year-old princess’s hair ended abruptly on her shoulder while Kate’s zip was lighter than elsewhere.

AFP, Getty, the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters all have policies about distributing manipulated images, and pulled it, despite initially publishing the photograph provided by Kensington Palace.

Britain’s domestic Press Association said on Monday it, too, was withdrawing the image, noting “the absence of clarification” about the image from Kensington Palace.

Within minutes of PA announcing its decision, the palace issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), signed by “C” for Catherine.

“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” it stated. “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

– ‘Damaging’ –

Many commentators suggested the furore had cast fresh doubt on palace reassurances about Kate’s health and recuperation.

William, 41, and other senior royals are expected to attend the annual Commonwealth Day celebrations in central London later on Monday.

Peter Hunt, a former BBC royal correspondent, said the situation was “damaging” for the family. “They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate,” he said.

“Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.”

Graham Smith, who heads the Republic pressure group calling for an elected head of state, added: “It’s quite simple. Don’t use their own photos. It’s PR, not news.”

Intense interest in Kate’s absence comes from the fact that William — King Charles III’s elder son — is heir to the throne, meaning she will one day be queen.

According to Kensington Palace, she was admitted to the hospital on January 16 for planned surgery, then left on January 29, to recuperate at home until at least Easter on March 31.

The contentious photograph, published on all royal social media channels and widely picked up in Britain and across the world, was accompanied by a message signed by Kate.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day,” it read.

But in a note to clients, AFP said it withdrew the image after it had “come to light that the handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered”.

The AP said it had retracted the image because on “closer inspection, it appeared the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP’s photo standards”. Reuters said similar.

– Health woes –

British newspapers quickly changed their front pages late on Sunday to reflect the brewing controversy.

Royal officials have not specified the nature of Kate’s operation but have said it was not cancer-related.

Earlier this month, a snatched photograph said to have been of Kate wearing sunglasses while being driven by her mother were published on the celebrity news site TMZ.

The sighting, said to have been near William and Kate’s Windsor home west of London, also failed to dampen conspiracy theories on social media about Kate’s absence from the spotlight.

The announcement about Kate’s hospital admission came just before another about her father-in-law’s treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.

It was then announced that he had been diagnosed with an unrelated — but so far unspecified — cancer, which has forced him to cancel public engagements, barring some official meetings.

Charles, 75, has only been king and British head of state since the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

His wife, Queen Camilla, 76, has since stepped up to take the lead as the royals’ most senior figure at public events.

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

Controversy surrounds the first official photo of Britain’s Princess Kate Middleton released since her abdominal surgery. Several news agencies have dropped the photo of the Princess with her three children, saying it was found to have been manipulated.

The Kensington Palace had released the photo on Sunday to mark Mother’s Day in Britain.

The smiling Princess of Wales, dressed in jeans, a sweater and a dark jacket, is seen sitting on a garden chair. Her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis are with her in the photo. She does not have her engagement ring on in the photo, which has become a point of discussion on social media.

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 Palace said it was taken by her husband Prince William, the heir to the British throne, at Windsor, where Kate has been recovering since her discharge.

A message accompanying the photo read: “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.” It was signed “C” for Catherine.

News Agencies Withdraw Photo

Three news agencies – AP, AFP and Reuters – withdrew the photo this morning citing manipulation concerns. But UK’s biggest news agency PA, which is used by the Royal family to release their official notifications, hasn’t taken any such step yet.

“It has come to light that the Handout issued by Kensington Palace today of Kate and the kids had been altered, therefore it was withdrawn from AFP systems,” news agency AFP said in a note to its clients.

Kensington Palace has declined to comment on the withdrawal of the photo by the news agencies, BBC reported.

Several users accused the Royal family of sharing an AI-generated image of the Princess, pointing out this is the first time she was clicked without her engagement ring.

“If the #princessofwales photo is from this last week as the palace claims…why wouldn’t Comms. make sure she had her engagement ring on her hand? Like, YOU KNOW people will hone in on that. Yes, PW allegedly took the photo but COME on,” said a user.

An early example from the Royal Rota Domestic Captain of how this #CatherinePrincessOfWales photo debacle might be covered up:

We actually do have reason to doubt the authenticity as KP has not given us many reasons to trust them. pic.twitter.com/yqoqsFlZNf

— Meredith (@TheMereDish) March 11, 2024

“Something is rotten in the state of…” William Shakespeare.

The toxic RF are rereleasing the AI generated Mother’s Day photo with the distorted hands, the missing bit of sleeve and the missing engagement and wedding ring edited out—too late. #PrincessofWales fake photo. pic.twitter.com/IXz10Ux4sg

— Ryn Shell (@RynShell) March 10, 2024

Another user pointed out a missing bit of the sleeve of Princess Charlotte.

Kate’s absence from public view had fuelled intense speculation and wild conspiracy theories. The Palace had said at the time of her surgery she would be “unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter”, adding that her surgery was not related to cancer.

Her father-in-law King Charles was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

The future queen was last pictured in December when she attended church services with her family in Sandringham.

She was hospitalised on January 16 for an abdominal surgery and discharged on January 29. The photo shared by the palace yesterday is the first official family photograph released since then. Before this, she was seen being driven in a car last Monday. Several UK outlets, including Daily Mail and The Sun, chose not to publish those photos.

London:

Confusion reigned on Tuesday over the announcement by the British Army of Catherine, Princess of Wales’s first official duty since undergoing surgery at her father-in-law King Charles III’s birthday celebrations in June.

The British Army initially said that Catherine, who is married to heir to the throne Prince William, would review soldiers on June 8 as part of the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Kate and William’s Kensington Palace office did not formally confirm her appearance and the Army later removed a reference to it from its website.

That came just 24 hours after Kate was spotted in public for the first time since she underwent abdominal surgery in January, according to photos published by US outlet TMZ.

The army’s website listed the king, who is being treated for cancer, as attending the main military parade on June 15, which marks his official birthday.

Charles, 75, on Tuesday held an in-person audience with finance minister Jeremy Hunt, who delivers the government’s budget on Wednesday.

The British head of state, dressed in a blue suit and a light tie, was photographed shaking hands with Hunt as he welcomed him at Buckingham Palace in London.

Charles, who became king in September 2022 following the death of his mother Elizabeth II, was diagnosed with an unspecified cancer last month.

The 42-year-old princess has been recovering mainly at the home she shares with William and their three young children in Windsor, west of London, since leaving hospital on January 29.

The photos published by TMZ showed Kate wearing sunglasses while being driven by her mother in a car. The celebrity news site said the images were taken on Monday near Windsor Castle.

Social media has been alight with conspiracy theories over the princess’s prolonged absence from the spotlight. Rather than suppressing rumours, Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine, said the photograph had “generated more speculation”.

“It’s a tricky situation because we’re all entitled to our privacy when we are unwell,” he told AFP.

“But when you are a member of the royal family that is quite complicated and difficult to maintain, there is naturally a huge amount of public interest.”

Royal shortage

The illnesses of Charles and Catherine have given rise to a sense of uncertainty around the royal family.

William himself missed events to look after his family. He also pulled out of a recent memorial service for his late godfather King Constantine II of Greece over an unspecified “personal matter”.

Charles’s wife Queen Camilla, 76, has been the most visible senior royal, stepping in to cover many of her husband’s public duties during his treatment.

She is now on a break until March 11, when she is expected to join William and other senior royals at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

She is reported to be on holiday this week, effectively meaning all four of the most senior royals are out of action.

William, 41, was last seen in public on Thursday during a visit to a London synagogue, where he condemned the rise of anti-Semitism in Britain.

He also attended last month’s BAFTA film awards ceremony in London.

Kate’s last public appearance was on December 25 when the royals attended a Christmas Day church service — around three weeks before she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery.

Royal officials refused to say what she was being treated for but said the condition was non-cancerous.

She spent almost two weeks in hospital and Kensington Palace said she was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter on March 31.

The princess, widely known as Kate, is one of the most popular members of the royal family.

She and William have taken on more royal duties since his younger brother Prince Harry and his wife Meghan left for the United States in 2020, and the king’s brother Prince Andrew stepped back because of his friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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