The Princess of Wales was deeply aware of the online speculation surrounding her health, but chose to stay silent until March
Princess Kate was reportedly "shocked" by the level of speculation about her health earlier this year, according to new reports.
The Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery in early 2023, prompting Kensington Palace to announce that she would step away from royal duties until Easter to focus on her recovery.
Despite the official statement, the absence of public appearances sparked widespread rumours and conspiracy theories, particularly after various photos and videos emerged online.
According to sources cited by the Daily Mail, the princess was “very much aware” of the online speculation and found the intensity of it startling, though she did not publicly address it at the time.
The speculation intensified in February when Prince William withdrew from a thanksgiving service for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, citing a personal matter.
Adding to the speculation, a Mother's Day photo shared by Kensington Palace showing Catherine with the children was met with further online scrutiny.
In March 2024, she addressed the speculation directly by sharing a personal video message revealing that she had been undergoing a preventive course of chemotherapy.
Her first public appearance since the announcement came in June, when she attended Trooping the Colour. Since revealing her diagnosis, the Princess has received widespread support from well-wishers around the world.
