Conspiracy Theories and Botched Photos: A Timeline of Kate Middleton’s Royal Absence

Following immense speculation around the health of Kate Middleton after abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace released a photograph Sunday that broke the internet for its botched editing job. Although the image featured the Princess of Wales, Catherine, alongside her three giggling children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — in honor of Mother’s Day in Britain, it made international headlines for revealing distorted and blurry fingers, a missing sleeve, and uneven zippers. One social media user speculated Middleton’s face was pulled from a former Vogue cover, whereas another believed the image was taken last year. 

The image, which appeared aimed to promote Middleton’s steady recovery, instead fed additional rumors around the royal’s health and raised the call for increased transparency within the royal family. Here is a timeline from Middleton’s initial hospitalization to the heavily discussed family portrait.

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Dec. 25, 2023

On Christmas Day, Middleton attended the annual service at St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham, the royal family’s estate in Norfolk, England. The Princess of Wales was captured wearing a royal blue coat and hat, alongside husband Prince William and their three children. King Charles III and Queen Camila also attended the morning service. The ceremony marked the royal family’s first gathering since the coronation of Charles and Camilla in May, and Middleton’s last official public appearance before her surgery.

Jan. 17, 2024

Middleton was admitted to the London Clinic for planned non-cancerous abdominal surgery on Jan. 16, according to a statement from Kensington Palace. The Princess of Wales would remain hospitalized for 10 to 14 days, followed by at-home recovery.

The same day of Middleton’s hospitalization news, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles would receive treatment for a “benign” enlarged prostate, a condition common in men over age 50 according to Britain’s National Health Service. Like Middleton, he would also have to postpone engagements during his recuperation in the London Clinic.

Jan. 18, 2024

Prince William paid his wife a visit on Jan. 18 and was captured driving away from the London Clinic. He delayed his own public appearances in order to spend more time with his wife.

Jan. 26, 2024 

Before King Charles was admitted to the London Clinic for enlarged prostate treatment, he checked on his daughter-in-law undergoing surgery.

Jan. 29, 2024

Middleton is discharged from the London Clinic, and returns to Adelaide Cottage, the couple’s royal residence on the grounds of Windsor Castle, for a months-long recovery. “She is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” a Jan. 17 statement reads, and although it was a planned surgery, she postponed upcoming engagements.

King Charles is also discharged Jan. 29, and was photographed exiting the hospital with Queen Camilla.

Feb. 5, 2024

On Feb. 5, the Palace announced that doctors identified a “form of cancer” while running diagnostic tests on King Charles. Although he’s informed to postpone public duties during his scheduled treatments, King Charles “will continue” to work behind the scenes on “State business and official paperwork,” according to a Kensington Palace statement at the time.

“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer,” the Feb. 5 statement read.

Feb. 29, 2024

While Middleton underwent weeks of at-home recovery, the internet began doing what it does best: cranking out conspiracy theories. Some people speculated that the royal was preparing for an appearance on The Masked Singer, planning a visit to the botched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory extravaganza in Glasgow, heading to Scotland to join the cast of The Traitors, or flying down to Miami for a Brazilian butt lift, also known as a BBL (it takes about two-to-three months for full recovery). The social media stir about Middleton’s whereabouts ruffled the feathers of the royal’s representative who told the New York Post, “Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.”

Following online rumors and conspiracies, Prince William’s representative offered clarification via a statement to People March 6: “His focus is on his work and not on social media.”

March 4, 2024

TMZ captured a grainy picture of what looks like the Princess of Wales riding in the passenger seat of a car, near Windsor Castle. The image appears to depict the royal wearing dark shades and being driven by her mother Carole Middleton. The Daily Mail also speculated that the early morning photo was taken after Kate Middleton dropped off her children.

March 10, 2024

The weeks of speculation led up to the uncanny valley image posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official social media accounts on March 10. Several news organizations removed a photo that Kensington Palace released featuring Middleton and her three children in honor of Mother’s Day in Britain. News outlets including the Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse announced Sunday that the photo contained editorial concerns and inconsistencies, with AP issuing a “kill order” and asking all partnering newsrooms to remove the image from all of their platforms. Kensington Palace claimed to CNN that Prince William snapped the image earlier this week. 

March 11, 2024

Following the deliberate removal and online theorizing about the family portrait, Middleton took to social media to clear the air, claiming she edited the photo herself.

Although the royal did not specify what parts of the image she edited, the internet quickly dissected the photo, specifically pointing to one of her children’s hands, like the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand with her sleeve. Middleton, a photo enthusiast, apologized for the photoshopped image.

“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” she said in a statement. “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.”

March 22

Middleton announces she has been diagnosed with cancer in a video statement filmed Wednesday by BBC studios. In the two-minute video, Middleton reveals she’s in the early stages of chemotherapy and expressed it had taken her time to recover from her abdominal surgery. Middleton did not disclose the form of cancer.

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

Her brother, James Middleton, posted a message of support on Instagram, in response to the diagnosis. “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together,” he wrote. “As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”

Middleton asked for privacy during the difficult time, and reassured Royal fans that Prince William has served as a “great source of comfort and reassurance.”

“At this time, I’m also thinking of all those whose lives are being affected by cancer,” Middleton says. “Everyone faces disease in whatever form please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

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