'THIS HAS BEEN A REAL TEST FOR KATE'

Royal expert Jennie Bond tells OK! that Prince William will have an overwhelming desire to shield and comfort his wife” following a turbulent few weeks for the under-fire Princess of Wales

- REBECCA RUSSELL

The Princess of Wales has rarely put a foot wrong since she gracefully navigated her transition into the royal family, so the chaos, confusion and backlash sparked by the release of her edited Mother’s Day photo will have come as a huge shock to the Wales household. Add to that the still-swirling outlandish conspiracy theories surrounding Kate’s health and whereabouts, and it’s little wonder sources say she will be feeling “under attack”, with her confidence having taken a knock.

Meanwhile, for William, witnessing his wife at the centre of a media frenzy is likely to have brought back painful memories of his late mother. As a result, he will have an overwhelming desire to shield and comfort Kate, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells OK!.

“William is undoubtedly irritated about what has happened – he won’t be annoyed with Kate, but annoyed that such a ridiculous fuss has been made over nothing and it’s all been pushed out of proportion,” Jennie says. “He will have shown nothing but support and kindness to Kate after this latest setback.”

And while the prince put on a stoic face as he joined members of the royal family at the Commonwealth Day service last Monday, he has been at the princess’s side throughout as she continues to get her strength back following abdominal surgery.