Weird article from the BBC

[KenAdams]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68440735

I'm very surprised this was published. It causes even more speculation!

Weird one, it looks like they are virtue signalling to the royals that they are reminding people to keep calm and not speculate… whilst using phrasing that adds to speculation. Very odd.

I think they are just reporting on how people are feeling.

They usually provide some sort of reassurance though but they haven't.

It’s for the clicks - BBC editors are not immune from chasing the popular stories - and news is hungry - senior news editor points at features editor in afternoon department head news meeting:

”What have you guys got for today?”

Features Ed: Ummm…frantically thinking…

“well there’s all these crazy theories being discussed on Twitter and it’s even made it to Mumsnet about the disappearance of the Princess of Wales. Could make an interesting analysis on the way rumours spread out of control on social media?”

”Done - give me 600 words by 2.30 and also make sure there’s some really attractive Kate pics to make it more shareable on the socials”

This is being reported by page 6:

“Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates,” her rep tells Page Six exclusively. “That guidance stands.”

I’m sure KP are thinking ‘what part of Easter don’t these fucking morons understand’

https://pagesix.com/2024/02/29/royal-family/kate-middletons-rep-brushes-off-speculation-about-her-recovery-as-theories-swirl/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=pagesix

It's the polite version of the tantrum. Demands for more info have not and will not be met.

There is no dilemma, and I think it's a sign that they're in the "tell us more" camp that they want to present it that way.

Comparison to the King is misplaced - unlike PoWess, he continues to work (and send messages) but has cancelled/postponed all engagements where he would meet people (v sensible, given what cancer treatments can do to the immune system).

But at least they acknowledge that it's just public curiosity (and that does not outweigh her medical privacy)
The proper public interest - is her health going to impact on her role - has been answered ie she's had surgery, won't be working during convalescence, is expected to be back at Easter.

I think that’s a pretty measured and accurate appraisal of the situation. In todays world of social media, a small amount of information leads to intense speculation.

What is weird about it? I thought it was a measured response to the frankly batshit speculation swirling around online.

Valentine Low was on The World Tonight and managed to sound both amused at the speculation and completely unsurprised that KP were sticking to their original statement. He said Catherine is always private about things she sees as personal and the way this is being handled is in line with this.

Does anyone here anybody in real life speculating about the RF? I don't. I was just reading another thread that mentioned conspiracy theories about Kate's absence. I haven't a clue what they are because I don't know anyone talking about them. Haven't seen anything on social media.

No one I know has said anything about it and everyone knows I am fascinated by the protocol and traditions of the royals. I think it is truly something that only the tiny percentage who use Twitter would even be aware of, and those of us on the royal boards who read threads that repeat what Twitter is saying. It hasn't come up on Facebook or Instagram that I've seen.

I am fairly new to the boards here but my impression, which may be wrong, is that the recent threads are mostly populated by users whose names I have never seen on here before.

It's clickbait. And it is written just like a social media post. All those ridiculously short paragraphs - like the journo had just written a list of talking points and not bothered to convert them into an actual article.
Blimey, I hadn't realised that BBC news had got this trashy.

My DD has discussed it with me despite being generally uninterested in the RF and it's all over Reddit and maybe TikTok

Agree with PP that absolutely no one I know is remotely interested in this woman's health, or even aware she is ill. I do find it odd that MN now has such active threads on the royal family. There never used to be this much gossip about them here.

“I’m sure KP are thinking ‘what part of Easter don’t these fucking morons understand’ “
^
This with bells on!

It does make you wonder the agenda of these people stirring the pot 🤔

I don't think it's a weird article at all. I think it quite neatly sums up what's been going on. As a pp said, the threads on Mumsnet on this subject have been extremely busy since Kate went into hospital and doubtless the same all over Twitter and Reddit.

The article is about Kate's right to privacy vs. the public clamouring for information. There's no denying it's ongoing.

As an aside, think something really major happened to cause William to withdraw from the memorial service. There's no way he would have done that for anything less than very serious reasons.

Do they usually call her Catherine?

I don't think it's weird. There are a number of people who have lost their heads over this on certain social media and a gigantic proportion of the population (including me) who are entirely uninterested and happy to accept that Easter means Easter.

I'm not on Tiktok, my Twitter isn't mentioning it, nobody in my real life has mentioned it. It's only Mumsnet for me where I've realised anyone thinks anything weird is happening at all.

I would assume due to contacts the bbc know what’s up with Kate. They just can’t publish. This is just a little prod to provide info.

i also find it rather odd there is no pic of her. Working at home, saying thanks for well wishes, in recovery, back in April. Tne silence is very unusual

The News Agents podcast, which is high profile by podcast standards, and fancies itself as serious journalism, did this segment yesterday.
"Also, how do the Royal family square the circle of remaining in the public eye while wanting maximum privacy at this difficult time? Couldn’t their communications be more effective?"

The wording of that article struck me as very amateurish - more like someone's ramblings on a blog than a piece of journalism on a respected news site.

Vogue have, I think, nailed it

"The truth is, she is exactly where she's meant to be, recovering at home with her family"

(Edited. typo)

The real problem lies in the gulf between how the palaces communicate - Charles was photographed going in/coming out, and reading cards, whereas there's nothing for Kate. The article explains why, but casual observers will see pictures vs no pictures and come up with speculation. If they were more in alignment with each other (e.g. medical things = total media blackout/privacy) then this wouldn't have grown legs. The fact that a reporter video'd someone being rushed to hospital with police guards on 28th December from Sandringham is fuelling it all.

Plus there's the issue of the kids apparently not being in school...

I suspect the surgery the Princess of Wales had caused a big weight loss on an already tiny frame and she’d rather stay out of the public eye till she’s regained the weight.

They’re may also be a need for her to stay close to a bathroom for the time being, perhaps she’s even having to get used to a colostomy bag of the likes. I’d also want to stay at home and not be bothered by people.

Are they not? What’s the source for that?!