'Katespiracy': the Internet worries about Princess Catherine's whereabouts

Although The Sun has already published the first new images of Catherine of Wales, her sudden disappearance from public life for weeks and weeks (with a failed reappearance in the form of a manipulated photo) unleashed the wildest conspiracy theories.

The British tabloids mostly limited themselves to studying this photo, released by Kensington Palace on Mother's Day. It had been doctored and was 'killed' by press agencies as containing manipulated elements.

Photo: kensingtonroyalpalace / X

In the meantime, social media gave free rein to several alternative theories explaining the absence of the princess. They went far beyond the "abdominal surgery" that, according to official sources, relegated the princess to private life.

Among the theories, there is one claiming that the real problem in Kensington Palace is a serious marital crisis between Prince William and Princess Catherine.

Theorists even claim to know the source of this marital crisis: Prince William allegedly cheated on his wife with one of her friends. The 'other woman' in question would be Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley (left in the photo). The extramarital relationship was never proven or commented on by any of the parties involved.

In an odd exchange between two national cultures, the Royal Palace contacted American comedian and TV host Stephen Colbert after he made a few jokes about Rose Hanbury's alleged relationship with Prince William in his late-night show on March 13. According to The Telegraph, the palace notified Colbert that it had not been 'warned' beforehand about the jokes, suggesting that that would have been a common courtesy.

Other speculators have suggested that Princess Catherine suffers from depression. This would have prevented her from facing her responsibilities as the Princess of Wales during this time. This, too, is 100% speculation, since no data or indication point in that direction.

Some people on social media have wondered aloud whether Kate Middleton is actually alive at all. They suggest that she has been replaced by a double. That's kind of a science fiction movie story.

The video that was supposed to end all rumors, released by TMZ and The Sun on March 19, did not silence these conspiracy thinkers. In fact, they suggest that the woman described as Kate Middleton, filmed at a farmer's market a few days ago, is actually a doppelganger.

Social media users also commented that the Princess of Wales may have had a much more serious medical issue than the 'abdominal' surgery she was said to have undergone in January. They suggest the treatment for that issue, whether it's chemotherapy, corticosteroids, or any other procedure, may have caused a change in her appearance. Not wanting to share that with the public, she has stayed inside, these people claim.

A few commenters went a step further. They alleged that the princess had undergone cosmetic surgery on her derriere. That's a procedure requiring quite a lot of time for recuperation.

And then, considering the recent news of King Charles III's illness, commenters circulated the theory that Princess Catherine had donated a kidney to her father-in-law. The King is currently being treated for cancer.

Beyond the conspiracy, many suggested that surely a much simpler explanation was hiding behind the mystery. A source close to the Prince and Princess of Wales, from their university days, told the Sunday Times that the prince is trying to protect Kate from public scrutiny while she and her father-in-law are recovering from medical procedures.

"William has always made it clear he wants to shield his family and his friends from the madness of some media where he can," the source told the Sunday Times, "to protect Kate and his family and not get drawn into the media and social media craziness."

"What is happening is exactly what they said would happen — she would spend two weeks in hospital and be back after Easter," another source close to the family told The Times. "So what if they haven't pushed her out there to wave from the back of a car? She is not a show pony."

After Easter (or perhaps at Easter Sunday mass, according to Daily Mirror) Kate Middleton will reappear in the public eye. And then the absurdity of all these conspiracy theories will be proven.

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