The Princess of Wales faced fresh fears today after a US broadcaster aired a series of outrageous conspiracy theories about her operation and recovery.
The documentary ‘TMZ Investigates: Where Is Kate Middleton’ aired on Fox last night and explored her ‘sudden disappearance’ after abdominal surgery in January.
The show heard from broadcaster Piers Morgan and Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell, as an American surgeon speculated about the procedure she may have undergone.
Kate’s absence from public life while she recovers has sparked wild theories that are becoming increasingly popular, despite her being photographed four times in less than three weeks.
A photo published online on March 4 shows her as a front-seat passenger in a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, and another photo of the princess sitting next to her husband in a car that left Windsor on 11 leaves March, could not dispel the rumors.
The documentary ‘TMZ Investigates: Where Is Kate Middleton’ was shown on Fox in the US last night
The show heard from broadcaster Piers Morgan who spoke about what sources had told him
Online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in an official Mother’s Day photo of Kate and her children, leading to the princess admitting to ‘editing’ the image and apologizing for any ‘confusion’ caused.
Social media users had their own theories about a video that appeared on TMZ and The Sun this week, showing William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop after a visit last Saturday.
Now the TMZ documentary is set to give Kensington Palace another headache as rumors about the princess continue to build.
A trailer for the program, which aired last night at 9pm Eastern Time (1am UK time this morning) on Fox, was accompanied by a dramatic voiceover.
It read: ‘TMZ exclusive – it’s the royal scandal that has rocked the world – from the princess’s absence… to… cover-up.’
During the trailer, Morgan was heard saying, “I wouldn’t be shocked if she had some sort of breakdown.”
And Burrell added: ‘Without Kate, the royal family is over.’
Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, said the royal family is “done” without Kate
Dr. George Crawford, a general surgeon in Alabama affiliated with RMC-Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, also appeared on the show and speculated about the surgery Kate may have undergone.
Another clip included a longer clip from Morgan, who said: “Now I have been told by my sources, good sources within the royal family, that she has had a pre-planned operation for a condition that she decided to have resolved. , and that in the process they may have found something else that also needed to be addressed.”
Dr. George Crawford, an Alabama general surgeon at RMC-Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, also appeared in the documentary.
Speculating about the operation Kate may have undergone, he added: ‘For two weeks I think she had something that was probably not expected.’
Details about Kate’s condition have not been released, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that the princess wished her personal medical information to remain private.
Earlier this week, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer expressed concern about the intense public criticism surrounding the Princess, telling people to ‘leave her alone and leave her alone’.
Sir Keir spoke about the issue following claims by the Daily Mirror newspaper that up to three people may have been involved in attempts to access Kate’s personal medical records after her operation.
March 11: Prince William and Kate leave Windsor together while riding in a car
March 10: Kensington Palace releases the first photo of Kate since her abdominal surgery
December 25, 2023: Kate was last seen with her family at church in Sandringham
Speculation and conspiracy theories about the princess’s whereabouts and the status of her health have been rife on social media, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby describing the interest as “village gossip” and “wrong”.
The king, who has cancer, was treated for an enlarged prostate at the private London clinic where Kate received her medical treatment, but Charles’ medical records were not accessible before the alleged breach.
The UK privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is investigating the allegation of an attempted data breach at the hospital and is assessing the information.
On Wednesday, the London Clinic pledged that “all appropriate investigative, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken” in any breach.
MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for comment on the TMZ documentary.