The start of 2024 for Kate Middleton was, frankly, a terrible one. Her “planned abdominal surgery” resulted in a cancer diagnosis and the public scrutiny surrounding her whereabouts turned into a media frenzy. From a Mother’s Day Photoshop failure to the resurfacing of Rose Hanbury affair allegations, Kate was put through the wringer.
The Princess of Wales was finally able to quell the rumors by revealing the health crisis she was going through, but she did it alone in a video that she shared with the world. The exclusion of Prince William from that moment may have been a hint that things between Kate and her husband were a bit rough, according to In Touch Weekly. “William has really stepped up since Kate’s cancer diagnosis, but that doesn’t mean all of their issues have been magically resolved,” a source claimed. The couple was “on edge” for much of the beginning of the year because they couldn’t dodge the Hanbury rumors (again).
While there has never been any concrete evidence about William’s alleged fling, “this year has been especially trying” for Kate because she felt vulnerable during a scary time. “First it was that she ‘vanished’ — and it was assumed that her marriage was on the rocks because rumors of his cheating just wouldn’t die,” the insider added, “Which of course was the last thing Kate needed around the time she got her devastating diagnosis, and no one could blame her for being irritated with William for not shielding her from the scrutiny or finding a way to put an end to the humiliating gossip that he had been unfaithful.”
The Prince of Wales’ spokesperson gave a brief statement to People in early March about his reaction to the rumors surrounding his wife. “His focus is on his work and not on social media.” By not addressing what was happening to his wife in the court of public opinion, it created a mass frenzy of headlines and additional stress she did not need. Her apology for her Photoshop controversy even felt lonely.
“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. 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,” she wrote on X. Where was William in this situation because he’s the one who allegedly took the photo? Social media users were asking that same question claiming Kate’s husband threw her “under the bus” in that controversy.
The good news is that Kate and William have reportedly come together during her health issues and are “very happy” now, per In Touch Weekly. Let’s hope that the blissful path continues because Kate deserves to be supported in her role as the Princess of Wales — the palace is on notice.