THE TIMES: Where is Kate? The royal family attracts more speculation by the day

[TallerSally]

On today's front page, the Times' Kate Mansey reports on the contrasting approaches taken by KP and BP's comms teams in their handling of the extraordinary situation the RF's currently in. It kicks off with the current host of the US's Daily Show (formerly hosted by the formidable Jon Stewart) asking some questions:

"While the King hosted friends and met world leaders, the Palace’s reluctance to comment on the Princess of Wales’s condition has created a rising sense of panic
One of America’s most popular TV comedy programmes was asking the question that had captured the nation. It was not about the Super Tuesday primary contests ahead of the US elections, or the State of the Union address, which elicited an exaggerated yawn from the presenter.

Instead, The Daily Show’s Ronny Chieng turned to look straight into the camera to ask: “Where is Kate Middleton? Where are you, Kate?”

There was no rush to provide reassurance this week from the Prince of Wales, who appeared to begin his working week on Friday with a visit to the Oval cricket ground for his Earthshot environmental campaign. Aides said that William had been busy all week, just not in a way that was visible to the public.

The King was doing the opposite. Away from public duties on doctors’ orders while he undergoes cancer treatment, the monarch had been expected to take this week as scheduled time off. Despite being told to “slow down” by the Queen, who took her own advice and flew to sunnier climes for a few days of relaxation, the King was ramping up.

He was photographed meeting world leaders and ambassadors from his living room at Buckingham Palace. Away from the cameras, he hosted friends who rallied round for afternoon tea and dinner dates. He insisted on the “more public” option of travelling between Buckingham Palace and his more comfortable private quarters at Clarence House in the State Bentley, so that he could “be seen”. Quite what the Queen made of it all from her sun lounger is anyone’s guess, but there are those in the palace who have an idea."

A tongue-in-cheek piece, but raises some interesting questions: have KP messed up the comms around Kate? and William? What is really going on with them? Why is the Royal family-funding public kept in the dark for so long, when usually not a couple of days go by without us having some nicely staged photo of some kind from Kensington Palace?

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/where-is-kate-prince-william-king-charles-cancer-khktpx9bm

And they’ve left William behind in the firing line?

It just disproves the wilder theories - repeated by some on other threads - that the RF control "the media" (sic) and that Kate is never criticised. Here's some more proof that those claims are nonsense. Thanks.

@HobnobsChoice I agree no one needs to know, I agree that she may choose to keep the information private. But the situation is extremely irregular and so people will speculate, it’s human nature to wonder what on earth could happen to a fit healthy, literally perfect 42 year old that isn’t cancer that could cause her to disappear for so long.

Oh is it Easter already? You know, when they said she’d resume public duties

Yes, I was wondering the same.

Oh come on she’s a member of the Royal Family. Nobody is asking for photos and an interview from her sickbed plus a copy of her medical records, just confirmation (or a loose pointer) as to the issue and recovery timescale

What part of the Palace statement saying the PoW is having abdominal surgery and won't be resuming duties until Easter did you not understand?

It's taken how many weeks?

I have no idea, but if so, it wouldn't be the first time men have stuck around to face whatever it is, while women and children have been protected.

I don't think anyone has said here 'when is she returning to duties?'. It's a discussion more about how the behaviour and management is in stark contrast to normal, and to the King who has cancer, and that not hearing from her in any capacity is actually very strange. It's not like her not to want to say a simple message of thanks.

Whether you like it or not, the deal with the RF is that they live in lavish unearned luxury, and in exchange, we use them as a living breathing soap opera.

So we are entitled to more than "she's ill and will be back in 6 months"

Use of words like panic makes me agree with this.

If there’s panic, I suspect it’s amongst journalists who can’t get info/proof about Kate’s health. They don’t like being out of the loop and looking like random TikTokers when they list the theories out there. There might be worries that a foreign publication (shock horror!) breaks the details first too.

A normal person may have returned to work much earlier than Kate but if her treatment involves side effects like moon face from steroids, I can see why she’s taking longer off because she doesn’t want months and years of media talking about her physical appearance and overshadowing any “work” that the family does.

I think that the communications have not been handled well at all and William missing the memorial service is a bigger deal than what specific surgery his wife had.

Hopefully this puts to bed all the "people hounded Megan because racism!" whinging too

The fact she’s taking 3 months out would indicate it’s a mental health issue.

There’s nothing else that springs to mind.

I’m sure everyone can figure that out - which is why the where is Kate / what is wrong is so unpleasant.

Where have the press used racially charged language to discuss the POW being absent?

Why would it? The two issues aren't related. And expressing concern about possible racism isn't whinging.

I think this is the most likely explanation: she has such a visual role, my bet is that she looks very physically different whether it's her face or body

But factually they do have a very neat deal with most if not all media and press outlets in the UK.

The fact for once they’re not keeping up their end of that deal is what’s led to the press being less protective of them

Good points, @MuggedByReality .

Sorry but you don't know that. In any case, it didn't and still doesn't, stop people commenting online about Meghan and nor did the palace say anything about that.

"factually" they don't control the press.
What I challenge is the conspiracy theories about dictating editorials and supplying headlines. I know it seems crazy, but some do believe it.

Although if she were dealing with disfigurement of some kind you'd think she'd release a written or audio message at least

The rest of the nation realise she's been very seriously ill and respect the decision for her to recuperate in private.

This! Let the poor woman be...

Of course it doesn’t stop people commenting on anything, it was unpleasant with MM and it’s unpleasant with KM.

No one knows, but it is the logical thing to assume, given the timescale and the lack of info.

So as I say, everyone can figure that out, so the endless where is Kate is unpleasant.

Perhaps she does look physically different and she doesn't want to come out in public less than perfect. Her career is built on being perfect and they play the media that way.

She doesn't need to come out in public! But not a single direct statement, message or a thank you for the time off? That is not like her and I can't think of a reason that prevents you from releasing a short message- asking staff to do it for you. It's easy to do and will stop most of this kind of discussion.