Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has disappeared from the public eye since December, leading social media users to speculate about the British royal family. According to Kensington Palace, the 42-year-old is recovering at home after “planned abdominal surgery” in January, but some users believe the royal is in an “induced coma.”
On January 17, the office of the Prince and Princess of Wales said in a statement that the royal family would spend 10 to 14 days in hospital after the surgical procedure and later recover at home.
“Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for a planned abdominal operation. The surgery was successful and she is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery,” the statement said. read.
In recent days, however, the royal family's prolonged absence from public life has sparked debate. While claims range from genuine concerns to outlandish conspiracy theories, the most popular theory is that the royal suffered complications during her surgery and was put into a medically induced coma.
Spanish TV presenter and journalist Concha Calleja first claimed that Kate was intubated and put into a coma after the procedure. “The decision was to put her in an induced coma. They had to intubate her. It was about saving her life,” Ms Calleja said.
Although Ms Calleja's statements were dismissed as hearsay by sources close to Buckingham Palace, it has done little to deter royal watchers and social media users from making more outlandish claims about the royal family.
Kate's husband, Prince William, who recently pulled out of a planned appearance at Windsor Castle due to a “personal matter,” has been seen attending galas and events alone, an unusual sight.
X, formerly Twitter, was flooded with memes about the 'missing' of the royal family.
Shortly after the royal family announced that Kate was undergoing surgery, a new statement revealed that King Charles would undergo a procedure to treat an enlarged prostate. The 75-year-old monarch, who took the throne last year, later announced a cancer diagnosis.
Although Kensington Palace has said Kate Middleton will return to her public duties after Easter next month, local British media claim it could take up to nine months for her to fully recover.
Buckingham Palace has not yet disclosed the nature of the operation.