When she met Prince William, the heir to the British throne, more than 20 years ago at St Andrews University, Kate Middletonthe Princess of Wales, got a taste of the “news” she would read about her life and budding romance with the young prince.

Since their wedding in 2011, the desire for news, any news, about Kate has increased. Her every move is scrutinized, her every outfit commented on, her every decision – around her work, her children, the way she spends her free time, the way she moves – analyzed, evaluated, praised or judged endlessly.

The most famous woman in the United Kingdom, one imagines, is used to the attention, even if she endures it, rather than enjoying it, aptly writes the newspaper “Guardian”. But it’s unlikely that anything could have prepared her, and those who love her, for the 24-hour media “hunt” that fate has in store for her.

Kate and William have tried to keep this very personal and extremely difficult time for their family private. However, this was made impossible by the “whirlwind of rumours” and conspiracy theories, which “overwhelmed” the traditional press, digital media, but also social media.

Kate Middleton

In her video message, Kate Middleton revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the early stages of chemotherapy. Finding out, after tests, that she had cancer was a “huge shock”, she said. She added that it took time to process it, time to recover, time to start her treatment and, most importantly, time to explain everything to her children and reassure them that she will be fine. Deeply human…

In the time between the princess’s admission to the London clinic on January 16 and Friday’s announcement, speculation about her condition took its own form. “Sheets” were written about the “teased” photos and she was strongly criticized, even by famous people, who today apologize and ask for “forgiveness”.

Kate Middleton

Her public apology for the “confusion,” which she said was caused by digitally editing the family’s Mother’s Day photo, did little to calm the waters.

In X – by Elon Musk – the conspiracy theories gave and took… We read that in the footage from her walk she was not the same, but a survivor, after she fell into a coma, that she was recovering from plastic surgery and even that she was dead!

While news of the princess’s diagnosis may bring a sense of guilt to those who enjoyed devouring the most gruesome speculations, it’s unlikely to lead to a reduction in content about her. The Palace emphasized that Kate Middleton “has a right to medical privacy, just like all of us.” And he’s right. Whether there will be listening ears and empathy, the future will show…