Kate Middleton may “not appear in public for the rest of the year” as she continues chemotherapy treatment for cancer, royal insiders have claimed.
“Lots of people involved in planning need to know what all the principals are doing a long way in advance. I am told that Kate’s diary for this year is empty. There is nothing planned. She may not appear in public for the rest of the year,” a royal source told The Daily Beast.
The insider noted that the palace is aware a prolonged absence could lead to further speculation about the princess’ condition.
“I would not rule out another video message updating the country on her health,” the source said.
“That proved to be a very effective way of keeping the conspiracy theorists at bay.”
The Princess of Wales, 42, has remained largely out of the public eye since revealing her cancer diagnosis to the world in March.
In a pre-recorded video statement, she said doctors discovered her cancer during a planned abdominal surgery in January, and noted that she is now in the early stages of “a course of preventative chemotherapy.”
Earlier this month, Prince William shared another update on his wife’s condition while he visited St. Mary’s Community Hospital in the Isles of Scilly.
The future king, 41, appeared upbeat at the engagement as he greeted bystanders. The Isles of Scilly are known to be a favorite getaway for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
“May I ask how Princess Kate is doing?” hospital administrator Tracy Smith asked in a video via Sky News.
“She’s doing well, thank you,” he replied.
“Lovely, and the children as well?” Smith went on.
William added: “The children are very jealous that I’m here and that they’re not here as well.”
His comments came just days after Amaia Arrieta, who has worked as a stylist for the Prince and Princess of Wales’ three children since Prince George was a baby, claimed the couple is “going through hell”.
“I’m heartbroken at the moment, I think they are going through hell, I hope they will be back. It’s really personal,” Arrieta told the Telegraph.
Kate’s not the only royal dealing with health woes, as King Charles, 75, revealed his cancer diagnosis in February, and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is battling an aggressive skin cancer.
As Kate continues treatment, her parents, Michael, 74, and Carole Middleton, 69, have reportedly stepped in to support their grandchildren during the fraught time.