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

They'll probably ask for another one with her holding up todays copy of the Daily Mail, kidnap style.

Royal journalists are reporting they they have been told the photo was taken “last week” - which the spring green growth on the plant in the background would bear out.

Hurrah! She looks really well.

I imagine PW took the photo in a break between hammering out the divorce settlement.... 😉

That made me smile @Serenster. Can’t believe you feel you have to resort to pointing out that the spring green growth is there for all the doubting Thomases on here, but I know exactly why you did 😂😂😂

I still don't get why you and others are so suspicious - what makes you think that she's not recuperating at home after abdominal surgery, is grateful for the support and will be back after Easter?

It was a long-range paparazzi snapshot of a mum and grandmother in the car on the school run. What was sad about it? Amazing that you can deduce psychological harm from it! Quite a talent.

😂

Truly incredible the extent to which people will find a reason to snark.. the newly released photo has been criticised on another thread because the children have their mouths open and they should have had 'normal' smiles..

I can't speak for all my fellow heretics, but personally I think it's a lovely photo, and exactly the kind of thing that many people have been hoping to see for a long time. The only snarkiness I can see as a reaction seems to be coming from the "do as we say! Think what we think! Don't ask questions!" tubthumpers.

It’s a lovely photo but no doubt some still won’t be happy!

Great film. Although Heston opening the windows after their real wedding night and finding an army outside is hilarious.

Gorgeous picture, nice message of thanks.
They all look very happy.

Lovely photo - happy now TallerSally?

😂

I wonder, is anyone thinking - oh, maybe I was wrong and there hasn't been anything sinister happening, maybe they're not getting divorced, maybe she is doing well and will be back after Easter?

Yeah, but where would be the entertainment value, chance to write imaginative fictional scenarios AND attack the RF all at the same time in that?

I actually really want to take it all at face value, but some people have made some fair points about the full-leaf, deciduous plant in the background with a few leaves turning brown, meaning it could have been taken a while back. Damn their enquiring minds!

Well, having read and been vastly entertained by some of the posters on here, I can imagine their reaction would be to say she's wearing them just to throw people off the scent and they really and truly are getting divorced, you can just tell.

Here you go @Serenster and @smilesy 😂

but some people have made some fair points about the full-leaf, deciduous plant

And what are these fair points? it's probably a potted shrub moved outside now the weather's warming up a bit.

I just went out and took these photos in my garden. I'm not sure if the fact some of the leaves being brown mean I'm in an alternate time line, or I'm just a bit shit at gardening, or it's just fecking nature?

Most likely, I’ve just put a lot of plants back out into the fresh air now the risk of frost has passed

Loons gonna loon, as Taylor would say