The Princess of Wales’ cancer announcement left some conspiracy theorists apologizing; others turned on Prince William.
Kate Middleton’s cancer announcement did not appear to quell all of the backlash, with social-media users accusing Prince William of letting his wife take the blame over a photoshopped picture.
The Princess of Wales had abdominal surgery in January, and Kensington Palace in London said she would not be back at work until after Easter. Yet, when no post surgery picture or video emerged, social-media users began frenziedly speculating about Kate’s health and whether she was « missing. »
Some spread conspiracy theories ranging from suggestions of an affair or secret divorce, to insensitive claims that the princess had passed away, along with a number of others too grotesque to repeat.
Kate’s announcement left many openly saying they regretted their choices, but some people also pivoted to blaming Prince William over an image-manipulation scandal.
Kensington Palace released a U.K. Mother’s Day photo that was subsequently « killed » by picture agencies over manipulation concerns.
The following day, Kate issued an apology on X, formerly Twitter, saying she sometimes edits pictures, but there was no message from Prince William, who took the photograph.
« It was actually really insidious to blame her for that pic KNOWING she has cancer, » Meriweather added. « If they were going to lie about it, they could have blamed an intern, but they lied, doubled down, then started blaming Meghan and Harry’s photographer, like—are you joking? »
Another wrote: « It’s crazy to me that the photo was credited to William — why couldn’t he have taken the hit for his wife with cancer? »
Journalist Heidi N. Moore wrote: « I need everyone to stop saying ‘Kate deserved her privacy.
