Before Kate Middleton revealed her cancer diagnosis to the public, both she and the Palace were subjected to rumors and various conspiracy theories. Despite this, the Duchess of Cambridge opted to remain silent until she felt ready to address the public and the media.
Some speculate that she carefully chose the timing of her announcement, coinciding with her children’s school closure to shield them from immediate questions and comments from classmates.
Additionally, alongside her desire to shield her children from undue attention, Kate Middleton also aimed to safeguard her husband, Prince William, from additional stress or scrutiny.
In a conversation with GB News, author Alexander Larman highlighted the public’s intense interest in the health of the royal family, suggesting that they often look to them for guidance. He noted that despite Buckingham Palace’s relatively transparent approach to Prince Charles’s illness, Kensington Palace, where Prince William resides, took a different stance regarding Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis.
Larman suggested that Prince William’s adherence to the traditional royal motto of “never complain, never explain” may have influenced the handling of the situation. However, he argued that in the modern age, such an approach may not be as effective, as information tends to find its way into the public domain regardless of official statements.
Despite recent challenges, Kate Middleton and her family have found solace in spending time at Anmer Hall in Sandringham, including the three-week school break their children enjoyed. On April 23, they celebrated Prince Louis’s sixth birthday, sharing an adorable photo of him for the occasion.
While Kate typically captures photos of her children, there was speculation about whether she would continue this tradition after a previous incident involving a Mother’s Day photo that she had edited. However, to the delight of many, Kate kept the tradition alive by photographing Prince Louis for his birthday. The caption accompanying the photo read, “Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! Thank you for all the kind wishes today.”
Following Kate’s revelation of her diagnosis, her family maintained a mostly silent stance. Apart from Queen Camilla briefly mentioning the princess during a royal engagement some weeks ago, there have been no further updates provided. However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggests that recent comments made by Prince William about his wife might be conveying a subtle message to the public.
Prince William attended a public engagement on April 18 at a food distribution charity named Surplus to Supper. During the event, volunteer Rachel Candappa handed the future king two get-well-soon cards addressed to his father and his wife.
Moved by the gesture, William expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you, you are very kind.”
Given that this appearance marked William’s first public outing after Kate disclosed her diagnosis, Richard Fitzwilliams believes the prince’s comments send a “well-timed” hidden message: Things are progressing towards normality once more.
Fitzwilliams noted that Prince William’s involvement in the food distribution charity suggests that both he and Kate Middleton are moving towards resuming their royal duties.
“We know William is returning to royal duties soon. The royal family clearly needs him. This appearance was significant simply because it represented a semblance of normalcy. Of course, with the royal family, very little is truly normal at the moment. William is evidently taking care of the children to the best of his ability. It conveys the message that some things are progressing as usual,” the royal author shared with The Sun.
“However, we’re aware that they’re facing challenges, and it’s undoubtedly a very trying period,” he concluded.
“He and Catherine are affiliated with around 50 patronages, such as those focused on mental health, homelessness, or the Earthshot prize. They understand the significant impact of their involvement in particular institutions or causes. Surveys have unequivocally shown where public support lies and their high regard among the people.”
According to Hello!, Kensington Palace has confirmed that William will undertake two public engagements that require him to leave Windsor for an overnight stay. While not extraordinary in itself, amidst the current circumstances for the royal family, this could indicate a positive shift ahead.
William’s itinerary includes a trip to Cornwall on Thursday, followed by a visit to the Isles of Scilly on Friday.
After taking a break to support his wife during her diagnosis, the Prince of Wales has resumed his public engagements. According to The Times, he plans to increase his schedule of public appearances in the coming two months, before his children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – go on summer break in July and August.