Royal unrest

No dates until Easter: Where is Kate?

Princess Kate has not appeared in public since Christmas.

(Bild: APA/Aaron Chown/PA via AP)

Royal fans around the world have been worried and puzzled for weeks: What on earth is going on with Princess Kate? On January 17, the palace announced that Kate was recovering from a planned abdominal operation and would therefore not be attending any appointments until after Easter. The unrest in the United Kingdom is growing and crazy conspiracy theories are already doing the rounds on the internet - fueled by Prince William (41) of all people.

Rumors are swirling on social media under the hashtag #WhereIsKate.

One user claims, for example, that Kate has undergone a butt augmentation, another that she is taking part in a princess protection program.

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Fotos

"Who will be the first to rise?"
Yet another user shows a montage of Jesus and Kate, writing: "Lots to look forward to this Easter. Who will rise first?" Because the Bible says that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday and the princess is expected to recover until shortly after Easter.

"Kate Middleton, no!"
The most whimsical theory? An "X" user shows Kate and Hollywood woman magnet Pete Davidson (30) holding hands - photoshopped together. His comment: "Kate Middleton, no!"

Kensington Palace at a loss for words
It was Kate's husband, of all people, who sparked the rumors. When Prince William canceled an important royal event at short notice "for personal reasons" on Tuesday, Pandora's Internet box was opened. Kensington Palace therefore felt compelled to make another announcement: The Princess is recovering, she is doing well. They had said that they would get in touch if the worst came to the worst.

Media criticize communication
But it didn't help. And even William's cheerful mood at appointments for the Welsh national holiday on Friday did nothing to calm the speculation and rumors. The statement "falls short of satisfying modern curiosity", the Telegraph lamented, criticizing that the royal-watching on the internet had "reached a new level of madness". The Sun wrote of a "week of crisis". Even the BBC spoke of "a royal dilemma as public curiosity about Kate's health increases".

A palace insider told Bild at the beginning of February: "Kate is happy to be back home and to be able to hold her children. However, she is still weak."

The English patient is by no means the only senior member of the Royal Family who is currently absent due to illness. Father-in-law King Charles III (75) is suffering from cancer and is currently not attending any public appointments. However, there are no rumors about the monarch.