Kate Middleton’s recent appearance at a farm stand with Prince William has stirred up more questions than answers, reigniting conspiracy theories that refuse to fade away.
Speculations range from whispers of marital troubles to concerns about the severity of her undisclosed health issues, and even the possibility of a body double standing in for her. Andy Cohen, host of Bravo, expressed doubts by tweeting, “That ain’t Kate…,” upon seeing the latest photo published by The Sun.
The lack of clarity from Kensington Palace only fuels the speculation further. Kate, 42, has been absent from public view since January, when it was announced that she underwent major abdominal surgery. Despite assurances from the palace that she would return to her royal duties after Easter, online skeptics wasted no time speculating about the true nature of her condition.
Hugo Vickers, a writer and friend of the royal family, empathised with Kate’s need for privacy regarding her health. However, he acknowledged that human curiosity tends to fill voids with conspiracy theories, especially when someone as prominent as Kate disappears from the public eye for an extended period.
Even with footage of Kate at the farm shop, conspiracy theories persist. Vickers draws parallels to past instances like Marilyn Monroe’s and Princess Diana’s deaths, where conspiracy theories persisted despite evidence to the contrary.
Prince William’s reticence to disclose more about Kate’s condition stems from his concern over parallels with his late mother, Princess Diana, whose every move was scrutinised by the press and the public. Palace insiders suggest that William is adamant about keeping Kate’s health private to avoid a similar media frenzy.
Mark Borkowski, a branding expert, criticises the palace’s traditional approach to public relations in the age of social media. He believes that a lack of transparency regarding Kate’s surgery only fuelled speculation further.
The timing of Kate’s surgery announcement, coinciding with King Charles’ revelation about his prostate cancer treatment, further fuelled public interest and confusion. Speculation intensified after William’s last-minute cancellation of a memorial event and Kate’s heavily edited Mother’s Day portrait.
Borkowski attributes the heightened interest in palace intrigue to recent disruptions caused by Prince Harry and Meghan, as well as popular portrayals of the royal family in shows like “The Crown.”
Despite the ongoing speculation, there’s hope that Kate’s recent appearance could mark a turning point. Vickers suggests that if she’s well enough to visit a farm stand, attending the Easter Sunday Service could be a positive step forward for her public reemergence.
