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Reports that the Princess of Wales has been spotted out and about around Windsor “bodes well” for her returning to public life on Easter Sunday and she never expected the social media storm surrounding her, a royal expert has claimed
The Princess of Wales has been left hurt by outlandish speculation about her on social media – and it’s also affecting her ‘protective’ children, a royal expert has claimed.
Kate was spotted enjoying a day out with Prince William and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis this weekend. She was also seen alongside William at the Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday, a short drive from their Adelaide Cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The sightings come after Kate’s absence from public life following abdominal surgery on January 16, led to wild conspiracy theories on social media about her whereabouts and health status.
Details of the princess’ condition have not been revealed – in line with royal protocol – but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private. It added she would not be undertaking any royal duties until after Easter.
The online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in a Mother’s Day photograph of Kate and her children, which led to the princess admitting to ‘editing’ the image and apologising for any ‘confusion’ caused. Now reports have suggested that Kate may in fact be seen with the royals at the annual church service for Easter Sunday on March 31, though the Palace has refused to be drawn on the speculation.
And according to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, the new sightings of Kate “bode well” for seeing the princess in several weeks. She told the Mirror: “On Saturday, William and Kate were spotted in the uber smart Windsor Farm Shop. The following day they were seen again this time watching their three children playing sports. There were no more details, but the main thing was they were all together.
“This bodes well for the hope that Kate and the kids accompanied by Prince William might appear on Easter Sunday. Last year they walked down the hill from Windsor Castle with other members of the royal family for the annual Easter Sunday service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. This year it will all depend on how the princess is feeling.
“It would be a good way for her to re-enter the public arena, but perhaps too public a one. Kate knows hundreds of television and camera images scrutinising every inch of her will be transmitted around the world.”
Meanwhile, Ingrid added that despite Kate being made of “strong stuff” the outlandish speculation about her was what she expected – and it’s affected more people than just William and Kate.
The editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine added: “The accompanying praise or criticism will not be fun to deal with, but it is what she signed up for when she married William. The reality of the social media storm of the past couple of weeks was not however what she ever expected. Not only did it affect her but the children. They are protective of their mother – especially as she has been unwell.
“For the next couple of weeks over the Easter school holidays, Wills and Kate are hunkering down and concentrating on their family life. They have been working hard picking up all the pieces since the departure of Harry and Meghan. And they have kept silent over the unpleasant slurs made in Harry’s book published a year ago.
“Kate is made of strong stuff as are all the Middleton women. But it doesn’t stop her being hurt. They deserve some final downtime with their kids before it all starts up again.”
Ingrid Seward is editor in chief of Majesty magazine and author of ‘My Mother & I’ published by Simon & Schuster.
