Where is Princess Kate? What happened to her? Why social media is asking

A member of the British royal family has mysteriously left public view in recent months

The world is asking: Where is Princess Kate? Here is everything to know.

What happened to Princess Kate?

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, was last seen on Christmas Day in December 2023, when she joined members of the royal family in attending a service at Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Norfolk, United Kingdom.

The 42-year-old was photographed alongside her three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and her husband Prince William.

Coverage of Middleton was radio silent until over three weeks later, on Jan. 17, 2024, when Kensington Palace released a formal statement revealing the Princess of Wales was admitted to the hospital the day prior for "planned abdominal surgery." The statement added that she is "unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."

Social media users questioned the "planned" nature of her surgery, given the fact the end of the palace's statement said Middleton had to postpone upcoming engagements amid her health issues. But the context behind that particular phrasing is still unclear.

Where is Princess Kate? The public has not heard much about Kate Middleton

On the same day the palace released its statement about Middleton's surgery, a second statement regarding Middleton's father-in-law, King Charles, was made public. It revealed that the king sought treatment for an enlarged prostate and will, too, have to postpone his public engagements. The king would go in for a "corrective procedure" in one week, the statement added.

The 75-year-old monarch went into surgery Jan. 26 at the London Clinic, where Middleton reportedly remained in recovery from her surgery. A royal source told CNN the king visited the Princess of Wales before he went in for his own treatment.

Days later, on Jan. 29, the palace announced Middleton was discharged from the hospital and returned home to Windsor Castle. Not much has been said formally since.

Why Princess Kate conspiracy theories are circulating

People online have started cooking up theories surrounding Middleton's public absence. But until there are any formal statements, all online theories are just that: theories.

Many have pointed toward King Charles' ample health transparency as a concerning contrast to Middleton's.

News of King Charles' cancer diagnosis was made public Feb. 5, a week after he was discharged from the London Clinic. While the type of cancer has not been disclosed, the public knows it was found during the king's prostate procedure.

The monarch has also halted most of his normal duties as he undergoes cancer treatment, but he was photographed going to church with Queen Camilla Feb. 11. And he appeared in a video on the family's official X account Feb. 23.

Others have looked to Prince William's recent departure from a formal engagement. The prince abruptly pulled out of attending a memorial service honoring his late godfather on Tuesday.

However, according to a People magazine article from Thursday, Princess Kate's spokesperson recently said: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant." The rep added she is "doing well."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Where is Princess Kate? What happened to her? Why fans are worried