Since the start of 2024, the Princess of Wales has become the focus of an increased level of world press and social media coverage, with rumors, speculation and conspiracy theories spreading when she stepped out of the public eye to recover from abdominal surgery.
Though most of it is without any factual basis, Kensington Palace has done little to assuage this negative attention, saying it will not provide updates or a "running commentary" on the princess and her health unless there is significant new information to share.
In the absence of regular updates, members of the public and commentators have been left to speculate, which contributed to the dramatic situation where Kate was forced to apologize for editing an official photograph.
Here, Newsweek gives a full timeline of Kate's recent activity, from her surgery announcement in January to her public apology this month.
Early January
In the first weeks of January, questions begin to be raised as to why Prince William and Kate hadn't announced or taken part in any public appearances or royal duties since Christmas Day.
The early New Year period is traditionally a busy one for working royals, who resume their charity and community work after a Christmas break.
January 17
As questions about the Wales' whereabouts continue to be raised on social media and by commentators, Kensington Palace makes a surprise announcement: Kate had been admitted to a hospital and underwent "planned abdominal surgery" a day earlier.
A statement says she was expected to remain in the hospital for between 10 and 14 days and would take an absence from her public role, expected to last until "after Easter."
The statement does not reveal what had necessitated Kate's surgery and says the princess wished for her medical details to remain private.
January 18
William is photographed leaving the London Clinic where Kate's surgery had taken place. This is the only time photographers captured images of the prince at the clinic, although reports say he went there on several days.
While at the hospital on January 26, Kate is reportedly visited by King Charles, who was admitted to the same clinic to undergo a prostate procedure.
January 29
On Kate's 14th day at the London Clinic, Kensington Palace announces that she had been discharged and would continue her recovery at the Wales family home, Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The princess is not photographed leaving the hospital, nor is she photographed arriving at Windsor. Adelaide Cottage sits within the secure castle grounds perimeter, which prevents public and photographer access.
The palace statement says that Kate is "making good progress" and that she wished to thank her medical team and well-wishers for their support.
February
As weeks go by without any updates on Kate or any disclosure of her medical diagnosis, speculation and conspiracy theories about her health, marriage and whereabouts spread online and in the media.
Kensington Palace takes a "no comment" position but says Spanish journalist Concha Calleja's claim that the princess was in a medically induced coma was "ludicrous."
February 27
William cancels an appearance at the Windsor-based memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine II of Greece.
The cancellation is made at the last minute, as his name remained in the order of service. But the palace would not elaborate on the reason for his absence beyond citing "personal reasons."
This ignites further speculation that the cancellation was related to Kate's health. This prompts the palace to clarify that Kate was doing "well," but it says that no "running commentary" would be provided.
March 4
As Kate passes the two-month mark since her last public appearance, and with no photographs released in that time, public interest in whether the princess was recovering, as Kensington Palace had said, increases.
On March 4, a paparazzo captures an image the world was waiting for: Kate out and about, being driven in a car by her mother, Carole Middleton, and wearing dark glasses.
The timing of the photo suggests the princess was returning from dropping off her children at school.
The image causes controversy in Britain. It is first published by a U.S. website, TMZ, but U.K. media outlets refuse to run it on privacy grounds. Despite this, it is readily shared on social media by private users.
March 10
After the paparazzo's image was taken, speculation arises as to whether an official photo of Kate, her first since her surgery, would soon be released by the palace to reassure the public that she was OK.
On March 10, this is done, via William and Kate's social media accounts, to celebrate Mother's Day in Britain.
The portrait, according to a release from the palace, was taken earlier that same week by the prince and showed Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in the garden of Adelaide Cottage. The image is distributed to the Associated Press and other image distribution outlets used by the world's press.
March 11
In the aftermath of the Mother's Day portrait's release, social media users quickly draw attention to evidence of image manipulation. This includes overlapped masking on the sleeve of Princess Charlotte, a cut to a zipper on Kate's vest and apparent editing around Prince Louis' trousers.
As this discussion grows online, it gives rise to greater speculation and conspiracy theories about Kate's health, calling into question the photograph's authenticity.
This attention leads several of the world's leading news agencies that had distributed the photograph (including Getty Images and the AP) to issue a "kill" notice to news outlets, asking that they cease using the image because it did not meet their guidelines.
March 11: Apology
As debate around the photograph grows, attention turns to Kensington Palace.
On Monday, just over 24 hours after the image's release, William and Kate's social media accounts issue a formal apology written by the princess.
"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she says. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C."
March 11
As the fallout from the apology circulates, Kate is photographed with William in the back seat of a car leaving Windsor for London, where she reportedly attends a private appointment while William undertakes official duties.
Though Kate is visible in the photograph, she is in a shadow, looking away from the camera.
William attends the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey with Queen Camilla and other senior members of the royal family. He later attends a launch event connected with his environmental initiative, the Earthshot Prize.
The prince does not mention Kate in a speech given at the event.
March 12
A number of new conspiracy theories grow from the photograph taken of William and Kate in Windsor, with social media users highlighting an apparent discrepancy in the brick pattern visible through the window of the car and above it.
This theory is combatted by other social media users who highlight that a wall-line isn't visible but accounts for the change in pattern.
Goff Photos, the agency that distributed the photograph, tells Entertainment Tonight that the "image has been cropped and lightened, nothing has been doctored."
March 13
In the absence of any comment from Kensington Palace following Kate's apology and the conspiracy theories it gave rise to, the princess' state of health and marriage are discussed on both social media and entertainment shows.
The global news director of one of the world's leading press agencies, Agence France-Presse, said AFP no longer trusts Kensington Palace's information.
Asked during an appearance on BBC Radio 4's The Media Show if the palace was still considered a "trusted source," Phil Chetwynd responded: "No, absolutely not. Like with anything, when you're let down by a source the bar is raised."
He continued: "We sent out notes to all our teams at the moment to be absolutely super more vigilant about the content coming across our desk. Even from what we would call trusted sources."
What's Next?
Despite the apology, Kate and Kensington Palace continues to face calls to release the unedited version of the Mother's Day portrait to show which parts of it are genuine.
Meanwhile, speculation and mystery surrounding the image have deepened, with social media users suggesting elements were edited in from past photo shoots.
The palace's previous guidance regarding Kate's health and recovery still stands, meaning the princess is not expected to return to public life until at least "after Easter." As a result, fans hoping to see the princess attend events again will have to wait until after March 31.
Update 3/14/24, 9:30 a.m. ET: This story was updated with comments from Agence France-Presse's Phil Chetwynd.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
