The palace has broken its silence on Kate Middleton’s conspiracy theories, as a palace spokesperson says the Prince of Wales is ‘focusing on his work and not on social media’.
It comes just two days after the Princess of Wales was photographed for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, when a US website published photos of her being driven by her mother near Windsor.
While officials have declined to provide further updates on Kate Middleton’s health due to medical privacy, royal aides have insisted she is “doing well.”
After abdominal surgery, Kate has remained out of the public eye for two months while she recovers.
The photos were published by US gossip website TMZ, but not in Britain after Kensington Palace called for her private recovery.
The response came in the American celebrity magazine People, which called for transparency about the princess’s condition.
A spokesperson told the outlet, “His focus is on his work and not on social media.”
It comes just two days after the Princess of Wales was photographed for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery in January. Pictured: Kate in November
Social media users came up with a slew of wild theories about Kate’s absence
Kate’s photo on Monday marked the first time the princess has been seen in public since celebrating Christmas at Sandringham with Prince William, their children and the rest of the royal family (pictured)
The rebuttal comes less than a week after royal aides spoke out to condemn the “madness of social media” as conspiracy theories continue to circulate about the health of the Princess of Wales.
Frenzied speculation began circulating online shortly after Prince William withdrew from the service of the late King Constantine of Greece, who died last January, while his father, King Charles, was also absent as his cancer treatment continued.
The Prince of Wales had not been seen since the Bafta Awards in London earlier this month until he visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in central London. The Princess of Wales was last seen at Sandringham at Christmas.
However, social media users came up with a slew of wild theories about Kate’s absence, with speculation that the princess may have been in a coma, dabbled in cloning, had a ‘Brazilian butt lift’ treatment or simply that she had a bad haircut . and hides until it grows out.
The Sun reported that royal aides said: ‘We were very clear from the start that we would not be providing a running commentary on the Princess of Wales’ health and would only provide important updates.
“Clearly we have seen the frenzy of social media and that will not change our strategy.
“A lot has appeared on social media, but the princess has the right to privacy and asks the public to respect that.”
Kate’s photo on Monday marked the first time the princess has been seen in public since celebrating Christmas at Sandringham with Prince William, their children and the rest of the royal family.
William at the Baftas in London on February 18 before suddenly withdrawing from the memorial
On January 17, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had been admitted to the London Clinic the day before for a ‘planned abdominal operation’.
It said the operation had been successful but would result in a two-week stay in hospital before a long period of recovery at her home in Windsor.
They added that based on current medical advice, she would likely not resume her public duties until after Easter.
An earlier statement from Kensington Palace said: ‘The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate.
“She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children; and her desire for her personal medical information to remain private.
‘Kensington Palace will therefore only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’s progress if there is important new information to share.
“The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to everyone involved for having to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many people as possible as soon as possible.”
Kensington Palace has been contacted for comment.