Kate Middleton was spotted by TMZ earlier this week squashing rumors that the Princess has been disappeared from public eye by the royal family. Since the Princess’s last public appearance in December, bizarre reports and rumors have flooded the UK tabloids, so much so that conspiracy theories about her whereabouts have begun popping up all over social media. Kensington Palace has made efforts to explain her absence by announcing that Princess Kate needed emergency abdominal surgery. Since that announcement back in late December, the Palace has repeatedly extended her recovery period (initially reported to be 2 weeks, then 3 months, then 9 months) to explain why she hasn’t been seen in public.
While her months long absence from public eye has sparked conspiracy theories, UK tabloids reporting has only fueled rumors that Kate Middleton’s disappearance has something to do with Prince William’s alleged affair with Lady Rose Hanbury. The alleged affair reporting along with Kate’s seeming disappearance led to speculation about an impending divorce announcement. While Prince William nor anyone from the royal family has responded to the speculation, Lady Hanbury has since denied those affair as “completely false” via a statement through her attorneys.
Timeline of key events
12/25/2023 – last verified public appearance of Kate Middleton and children
12/28/2023 – ambulances with heavy police escort seen leaving Sandringham where family spent Christmas – no statement regarding on what happened
01/17/2023 – stations reported Kate Middleton checked into London private hospital, stating condition is more severe than initially reported – Kate reportedly underwent abdominal surgery but no explanation as to diagnosis. It was initially reported that her stay would be about 2 weeks, but that was soon extended to sometime around Easter.
01/24/2024 – UK tabloids reported that the Wales inner circle was shocked to learn of Kate’s surgery and were unaware of any health issues
01/29/2024 – Kensington Palace announced that Kate had returned home from the hospital to continue her recovery at home. At this point Kate Middleton hadn’t been seen in over 30 days and was not photographed leaving the hospital
02/05/2024 – King Charles announces cancer diagnosis, but doesn’t give specifics. That same day, UK Magazine reported that Kate’s recovery would be nine months instead of the initial 3 months
02/09/2024 – reports came out that Kate Middleton was recovering and would be leaving Windsor to continue her recovery at Sandringham
03/11/2024 – photo released showing Prince William and Princess Kate leaving Windsor Castle in a vehicle rumored to be another photoshopped image
