Breaking News:Princess Kate Passes Key Milestone

Princess Kate has passed a key milestone as Kensington Palace’s reformed PR strategy handling updates on her health and cancer treatment has kept public calls for more information at bay.

It has been 53 days since Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis and so far there has been no surge in conspiracy theories and demands for updates. This has surpassed the previous 41-day milestone that was set in February that sparked a media meltdown.

On January 17 it was announced by the palace that Kate was stepping out of the public eye having undergone major abdominal surgery. They explained that she was not expected to return to official duties until “after Easter” and would not be providing updates on her health unless there was “significant new information to share.”

Despite a subsequent announcement on January 29 saying Kate had been discharged from hospital, their “no comment” PR approach to her condition backfired spectacularly when 41 days later, speculation, conspiracy theories and public outcry filled the information vacuum the palace had created for itself.

On February 27—the 41st day after Kate’s surgery announcement—the palace lost control of its tightly held narrative that all was as it should be.

This developed after Prince William’s last minute cancellation of an appearance at a service of thanksgiving for his godfather King Constantine II of Greece, sparking fears for the princess. This was despite an unofficial comment made by the palace that Kate continued to be “doing well.”

Almost immediately social media and press outlets began to question the palace’s narrative and Kate and Prince William’s handling of the unfolding events. This created an increase in speculation not only about Kate’s condition, but also the state of the royal marriage and the princess’ whereabouts.

What followed was a PR nightmare as conspiracy theories snowballed finally reaching fever pitch when the palace released the first photograph of Kate since Christmas Day, 2023, to mark Mother’s Day in the U.K. on March 11.

The photo of the princess surrounded by her three children caused a sensation for all the wrong reasons. The image taken by William was soon revealed to have been edited by Kate with visible seams, masking and manipulation throughout the frame.