Kensington Palace says Kate Middleton will return to public duties after Easter next month. (document)
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has been out of the public eye since December, leaving social media users speculating about the British royal’s condition. The 42-year-old royal is recovering at home after undergoing “planned abdominal surgery” in January, according to Kensington Palace, but some users believe the royal is in an “induced coma.”
On January 17, the office of the Prince and Princess of Wales said in a statement that following the surgery, the royal family member would stay in the hospital for 10 to 14 days and then recover at home.
“Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and she is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery,” the statement read.
However, the royal’s prolonged absence from public life has sparked debate in recent days. While claims range from genuine concerns to outlandish conspiracy theories, the most popular theory is that the royal suffered complications during the surgery and was put into an induced coma.
Spanish TV presenter and journalist Concha Calleja first claimed Kate was intubated and in a coma after the surgery. Ms Calleja said: “The decision was to put her into a coma. They had to intubate her. It was to save her life.”
Although Ms Calleja’s comments were dismissed as rumors by sources close to Buckingham Palace, this has not stopped royal watchers and social media users from making more bizarre claims about the royal family.
Kate’s husband Prince William, who recently canceled a scheduled appearance at Windsor Castle citing “personal issues,” has been seen attending celebrations and events alone, an unusual sight.
X (formerly Twitter) has been flooded with memes about the “missing” members of the royal family.
Shortly after the royal family announced that Kate was undergoing surgery, a new statement revealed that King Charles will undergo surgery to treat an enlarged prostate. The 75-year-old monarch, who ascended the throne last year, later revealed he had cancer.
While Kensington Palace says Kate Middleton will return to public duties after Easter next month, local British media say it could take up to nine months for her to fully recover.
Buckingham Palace has not revealed the nature of the surgery.
