Following frantic speculation online concerning Kate Middleton‘s health, Prince William has issued a brief statement regarding his priorities.
“His focus is on his work and not on social media,” a palace spokesperson told People of William’s current schedule.
The public disclosure of King Charles and Princess Kate’s health hurdles by Buckingham and Kensington Palaces earlier this year was an atypical act of transparency, but as the weeks go on, audiences have pushed for further updates.
Indeed, the public clamor for more information about the ailing family members, especially Middleton, has been met with occasional brief updates and reminders from Kensington Palace of that initially stated Easter timeline for her recovery and return to public duties. She was photographed earlier this week riding in a car with mother Carole Middleton, and the palace issued the terse update that she “continues to be doing well” amid raised eyebrows when Prince William pulled out of attending a memorial service for his late godfather, Constantine II of Greece, at the last minute, citing only “a personal matter” to explain his absence.
Buckingham Palace has been more forthcoming with updates about Charles’s health, and he has been photographed out, but certain pieces of information, such as the type of cancer he was diagnosed with and his prognosis, remain unknown.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People that she thinks the public thirst for information is understandable.
“Everybody feels unsettled by uncertainty, and there is too much uncertainty that is surrounding the monarchy right now,” she said. “Queen Elizabeth used to say, ‘I need to be seen to be believed.’ It is important for Charles and his reign for the public to know a little bit more.”
Charles, who ascended the throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, has made moves toward a more “streamlined” royal family, slimming the ranks of working royals since his coronation. This shrinking pool, already missing the likes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after their 2020 exit from their working royal status and move to the U.S., is even more evident as several highly visible senior members of the royal family face health challenges and are unavailable for public engagements.
Charles has pulled back from public duties while he receives treatment for cancer, a diagnosis that was announced in early February. The Princess of Wales is on rest from engagements at least until Easter as she recovers from an abdominal surgery, with husband William also working less in light of his family’s ailments. Sarah Ferguson, too, is receiving treatment for her second cancer diagnosis within a year. Even Queen Camilla, who has been shouldering many of the public engagements and royal duties that other senior royals might typically be slated for, is on a brief planned break for the week, resting up until her next scheduled event on March 11.