The first half of 2024 was challenging for the Wales family. Princess Catherine’s abdominal surgery in January led to a cancer diagnosis, sparking a social media frenzy suggesting she was missing. However, her first public appearance since Christmas in June left the family relieved, as they remembered the horrible time following Kensington Palace’s statement that Catherine would take a step back from public Royal duties until after Easter.
Throw in rumors of an affair, no public sightings, and a poorly photoshopped UK Mother’s Day photo, and the Internet has been working overtime. In an update to Robert Hardman’s book, The Prince and Princess of Wales, it was revealed that staff at Kensington Palace were reportedly astonished by the reaction to the photo the couple posted on Mother’s Day in the UK this year. Aides insisted that the photo wasn’t meant to shut down rumors but was something Catherine had planned to publish all along. But after the photo was shared, it only ramped up social media.
After it emerged that the photo might have been digitally altered, a member of the Wales staff told Hardman there were several factors to consider. Anything written or said about the princess of Wales at that point was fever pitch and front-page news. William and his team liked to police their own lanes, much like his father did when he was Prince of Wales. The aide added that, as far as Princess was concerned, the photo was only meant to bring some joy to the nation, clarifying that the Waleses had agency in everything and were the final decision-makers.
Author Tom Bower has accused Kensington Palace of handling the Photoshop scandal appallingly and failing to protect the Princess of Wales when she should have her feet up at home recovering from major surgery. Online critics are spewing out even more insane conspiracy theories about her lack of visibility-ranging from botched plastic surgery to a medically induced coma or even scurrilous rumors about the strength of her marriage. They can’t and won’t be stopped.
In the last two days, posts insisting that she’s dead or had a breakdown or a facelift have surfaced, all from internet ghouls who certainly aren’t right. They conveniently overlook the fact that, in reality, they’re clutching at straws because they have absolutely no idea what’s really going on. This constant Hysteria was too much to bear 27years ago for the mother in law she never met, and it’s too much now for her. At the time, her fans quickly took to social media to show their support, sending messages of love and encouragement to the Duchess.
It breaks my heart to think of what she must be going through right now. Catherine is such an amazing woman. She deserves so much better than this, one fan said. Another added, let now give Diana what she wanted. It’s too late for he, obviously, but not for the wife of the Son she adored. Let’s find it in our hearts to understand and give the Princess time and space-spave that she’s been lacking in recent months.
