After months of speculation, scandalous rumours and suspicious press leaks, the Royal Family appears to have lost control of the narrative surrounding the Princess of Wales. But what if they’ve been strategically pulling the strings all along?

It’s only natural to think the Royal Family is in crisis mode right now. Why? Practically every news outlet, social platform and royal ‘commentator’ are saying so. 

Two of the family’s most senior members – Princess Catherine of Wales and King Charles III – are very publicly battling private health concerns. After months of speculation surrounding their dwindling health and mysterious reclusiveness from public duty, the entire Windsor name has become embroiled in scandal and gossip. 

But unlike Princess Diana and Prince Harry’s equally infamous tell-all interviews, the family’s current crisis is largely being fuelled by silence. 

What we think we know

Initially, Palace communications came out on the front foot with statements announcing both the King and Princess’ respective diagnoses, getting ahead of the British press in shaping the narrative. From there, we promptly received updates about the King’s seemingly stable cancer prognosis, very much indicating the prospect of a full recovery. 

Meanwhile, with every vague statement and odd press leak that Kensington Palace initially shared about the Princess’ condition, the public’s concern and interest only grew. 

‘Where is Kate Middleton?’ 

It has, and continues to be the question on everyone’s lips and on every front page. And in an attempt to answer it, hundreds of wild conspiracy theories have risen to the surface. Amongst them, the most scandalous headlines have emerged– body doubles, an alleged affair, a love child, a mental breakdown and a coma. 

But after centuries in the public eye, having every aspect of your personal and professional lives picked apart by any nosy person with access to the internet, it’s hard to believe the Windsors could be fumbling the handling of the Princess’ recovery so clumsily. 

Unless they were doing it on purpose.

Let’s take a closer look

People have interpreted the Royal Family’s silence as a bad sign, convinced something sinister is bubbling away at Kensington Palace. 

But more than likely, The Princess of Wales is simply doing what she told us all along – recovering from a major surgery in private, a luxury not often afforded to her and her in-laws. 

Additionally, like many procedures in that area, it’s highly likely the abdominal surgery she has undergone has left her needing a temporary ostomy bag. And royal title or not, that’s hardly something most people would feel comfortable being papped with, especially with a style reputation as immaculate as Kate’s.

Still, if the Princess is happily tinkering away on Photoshop while she endures bedrest, why hasn't the Palace attempted to shut down the damaging rumours floating around in the media – or at the very least tried to convince us the Prince hasn’t followed in his father’s adulterous footsteps?

Because, while we’ve been so desperate for information regarding the Princess of Wales, we’ve been blind to some important facts that have been sitting right in front of us. As integral as the Wales’ are to the Royal Family, the King will always sit at the top of the food chain when it comes to protecting public persona. 

The rumours and press ‘leaks’ are nothing more than a distraction from what’s really happening over at Buckingham Palace.

The King’s condition up close

Though the monarch is apparently recovering at his London residence, WFH as some might say, he has not made any public appearances since commencing treatment for his cancer. 

Considering the King’s press team took a front-foot, open approach to sharing details of his health at the beginning of this ordeal, the subsequent silence is perhaps indicative that something isn’t quite going to plan. 

Two weeks ago, speculation went wild about the Princess of Wales’ condition when the Prince was forced to back out of a public engagement last minute – a big no-no for the Royals. What wasn’t reported, however, was the fact that Queen Camilla cancelled all of her royal engagements the same week. 

Let’s look at the facts here: Charles is 75 years old, and even if his cancer diagnosis is as manageable as first communicated, undergoing treatment of that calibre would naturally take a toll on his health. 

The King also just ascended to the throne, and despite having a ‘stripped down’ coronation service to minimise costs, the British monarchy still very much put on an elaborate affair. 

And as distasteful and insensitive as it may be to point out, the last thing the British public wants to think about paying for right now is a Royal funeral. Especially given the fact that the last monarch, beloved Queen Elizabeth II, was laid to rest in spectacular fashion only two years ago. 

The Royal Family is one of the oldest institutions in Britain and one of the only monarchies still operating with relative influence in the world today. Still, as a result of various reforms, revolutions and parliamentary revisions, the Royals no longer operate as an absolute monarchy these days, taking on a more symbolic, backseat role in the country’s dealings. 

Regardless, the illness or death of a patriarchal figure like King Charles could be significantly damaging to the future of the family, the institution, and the United Kingdom as we know it. 

So, if a few wild rumours about The Prince and Princess of Wales's marriage can distract the public from the King’s cancer prognosis, the Palace simply won’t hesitate to release another doctored image or vague statement.