NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE

THE PRINCESS FOCUSED ON HER HEALTHAS RUMOURS FLOURISHED

After three months of fevered global speculation about her health, whereabouts and state of her marriage, Kate’s calmly dignified video statement, released on March 22, finally and decisively shut down many of the rumours. Nevertheless, some royal watchers and PR experts have queried the handling of the communications around the princess’ condition...

1 HER LAST OFFICIAL APPEARANCE

When the Princess of Wales stepped out for the royals’ annual Christmas Day church service, few suspected anything was amiss – or that it would end up being her last public appearance for some months. Dressed in a gorgeous blue Alexander McQueen coat, a beaming Kate looked radiant as she headed into St Mary Magdalene Church, alongside Prince William and their three children.

2 WILLS RACES TO HOSPITAL

Kate’s 2024 was meant to start with a royal visit to Italy with William. It was also shared that she’d spend the start of the year focusing on Shaping Us, her early childhood initiative. But then, on January 16, it was announced that Kate had undergone planned abdominal surgery at The London Clinic. At the time, it was said her condition was “non-cancerous” but still required her to stay in hospital for 14 days. William was seen visiting his wife on January 18.

3 CHARLES CREATES A DIVERSION