Kate Middleton’s surgery remains shrouded in ‘shroud of secrecy’ with family
It seemed innocent enough: on Sunday, March 10 Princess Kate Middleton shared a family photo on Instagram of her sitting in a chair surrounded by her three smiling children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5. The caption wished her fellow British mothers a Happy Mother’s Day and thanked the audience for their well wishes after her recent abdominal surgery.
It was the first official photo of the princess released since her procedure on January 16, and it appeared intended to reassure royal watchers – who had noted the future queen’s prolonged absence from public life, as well as a lack of communication from Kensington. Palace about her health – that she was actually on the mend.
But within hours, social media was in an uproar over the image. Some skeptics wondered when the photo was taken, while others said it appeared to be digitally altered. Major news agencies quickly recalled the photo, saying it had been “doctored.” With this, conspiracy theories about Kate’s well-being and whereabouts reached a boiling point online.
The next day, Kate discussed the photo controversy via Later that afternoon, she was photographed in the backseat of a car with Prince William, reportedly on the way to an appointment. William, 41, went to Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day service without her.
The strange turn of events has only increased concerns about the 42-year-old princess. According to a royal source, Kate is “doing well”, but she does not plan to share more about her condition with the public for the time being.
“Whatever the reason for the surgery, it is personal in nature and Kate wants to keep the details as private as possible,” the source explains, adding that even some members of her own family are still in the dark. “Maybe if she feels like it, she’ll reveal more, but she’s not making any promises.”
In mid-January, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had undergone a planned abdominal procedure and would be out of the public eye until after Easter. The statement offered few additional details about the mysterious medical procedure, but noted that the princess was “making good progress” following her discharge from the London Clinic hospital.
Once rumors about her condition flared — including a Spanish media report that she was in a coma — the palace reiterated that it would only share updates “if there is important new information.”
Although a grainy photo of Kate in a car with her mother surfaced on March 4, Carole MiddletonNear Windsor Castle, the public is clamoring for more information from the princess herself. A second source says the palace is “very quiet” about the whole situation.
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“Some of Kate’s senior staff haven’t been able to see or speak to her, and they didn’t even know about the surgery until it was announced, so it has caught them off guard,” the source claims. Us. Kate has recently begun opening up to members of her inner circle about the nature of her surgery and recovery process. “Only a few people know what is really going on, and they remain tight-lipped.”
The source says Kate has had a few visitors, including King Charles III (who is receiving treatment for cancer, which Buckingham Palace announced on February 5) and his wife, Queen Camille – but is otherwise covered by a ‘shroud of secrecy’. The source added: “It is confusing and causes some concern.”
Kate understands the curiosity, but apart from her closest family and friends, she is determined to maintain a sense of privacy. “Kate says she feels she has a right to healing and recovery without all this crazy speculation,” says the first source, noting that it was the princess’s decision to keep details about her surgery under wraps. “Neither Kate nor William believe her medical records should be for public consumption.”
It’s been a tough two months for the couple. “She tries not to pay attention to all the rumors and gossip, and William does his best to protect her, but it is distressing,” says the first source.
William is at his wits’ end due to constant questions about his wife, while he continues to cover for his ailing father and helps with the children at home. The source added: “This has been a stressful time for William and Kate, but they are made of tough stuff and have gotten through it.”
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According to the source, it was a “collective decision” to share the ill-fated Mother’s Day post. It is said that the palace frantically tried to control the chaos. “[The idea was that] Kate could thank the public for all the support and at the same time put some of those ridiculous conspiracy rumors to rest.”
Kate has taken the blame with her photo editing confession, but it has been a PR disaster. That’s the last thing the royal family needs right now, with Kate and Charles, 75, recovering, and William having double duty to fill in for them. (Camilla, 76, took some time off in early March after exhausting herself with 13 official appointments.)
“There is a disturbing feeling that things are breaking down within the monarchy,” the source said. “William is under enormous pressure to keep things running.”
Kate is doing her best to focus on her recovery, resting and getting fresh air when she can. “Her mother has been a huge help,” the first source says, explaining that Carole has acted as Kate’s “personal driver and brought books and magazines for her to read during her recovery.”
Kate and William both hope the situation will blow over sooner rather than later. “Kate really wants to get back to work,” the source said. “This has been one of the most challenging months for Kate as a royal, and she is praying that the fuss will subside as soon as possible.”
Watch the exclusive video above for more details about Kate’s surgery and recovery journey – and read the latest issue of We weeklyon newsstands now.