Kate Middleton will likely address the widespread concerns over her health and wellbeing when she returns to public duty, a new report claims.
“I can see a world in which the princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements,” a royal source told The Sunday Times over the weekend, noting that she and husband Prince William are “at their most open” when out interacting with members of the public.
“If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it,” the insider added, sharing that the couple do want to be transparent but will only speak out when “they feel” ready.
“I would expect that to be her instinct and it will be her call. They’re not going to be rushed.”
Back in January, the palace announced that Middleton, 42, would be undergoing a “planned abdominal surgery” — but did not share any further details with the public at the time.
“The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” a statement shared via Instagram explained.
The statement also noted that the Princess of Wales – who shares kids Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, with Prince William – was “unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter” and hoped to maintain as much “normality for her children as possible.”
In light of her request for privacy, the palace said it would share only “significant” updates going forward.
Friends of the couple told The Sunday Times that they had perhaps naively believed that the request for privacy would be abided.
“It’s not that they didn’t think there would be lots of speculation and interest,” a friend explained, “but they had confidence that people would give them the space they asked for, which they did for about a month.”
However, all bets were off when the palace released a photo of Middleton surrounded by her children in honor of Mother’s Day in the UK earlier this month.
The snap was “killed” by major photo agencies over glaring Photoshop changes, causing Middleton to offer a rare apology the following day.
“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,” she wrote via X.
A friend of the royals reportedly insists there was nothing malevolent in the clumsy editing, just a desire to release a polished image.
“It’s a photo that she knew everyone would pore over so she pored over it herself — she likes trying to make the family look the best they can.” they said, adding that Middleton was “devastated” by the furor.
Middleton is expected to return to royal duties after Easter. It seems there will be no official health updates until then, despite ongoing concern over her whereabouts.
“In Kate’s case, there is almost nobody else in the world whose face, body, clothes are more judged than hers. So it’s entirely right for them not to want to be drawn into a game about what is going on with her health,” a friend explained to the UK outlet.
“What is happening is exactly what they said would happen — she would spend two weeks in hospital and be back after Easter,” they added. “So what if they haven’t pushed her out there to wave from the back of a car? She is not a show pony.”
