The palace has not been terribly forthcoming about her health, but they have also been consistent, saying in statements and when asked that she is recovering from surgery at her home in Windsor and will not resume official duties before Easter. Here's what you should know.
Why is Catherine out of the public eye?
In January, Kensington Palace announced that Catherine had undergone “successful” abdominal surgery and that she would remain in hospital for up to two weeks before recovering at her home in Windsor, and that she would probably not resume official duties before April.
The palace kept the update vague, continuing its tradition of remaining silent when it comes to the health of royal family members, despite it being a subject of interest at home and abroad. The palace said in the statement that the surgery was “planned” and that the condition was “non-cancerous.”
Kensington Palace added that Catherine “appreciates the interest this statement will generate” but “hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children; and her desire for her personal medical information to remain private.”
In a February update, the palace said Catherine was “doing well” and told The Washington Post that because the timeline for the princess’s recovery had been “clarified” in the previous month’s announcement, it would “only provide important updates.”
When was the last time Catherine was seen in public?
The 42-year-old princess was last seen in public on December 25 at a Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, eastern England, where the royal family often gathers.
Pictures were taken of the princess alongside her three children and her husband, Prince William, heir to the British crown.
Catherine has been a reassuring and stable force for more than a decade; Many Britons see her as a fixture within the royal family.
For this reason, her withdrawal from the public eye, although expected after her surgery, generated significant interest – especially on social media, where users speculated wildly about her whereabouts, coming up with a series of conspiracy theories and memes.
Her maiden name, Kate Middleton, has been trending for days On X. People all over the world have been searching for questions like “Where is Kate” and recent photographs of the princess. Some people joked that she was tired of the royal spotlight, or that she was growing out her bangs.
A paparazzi photo of Katherine, wearing oversized sunglasses and being driven in the car by her mother this week, was published by TMZ — but And not before British media – and sent some social media users into another spiral, with some speculating and joking without evidence that it wasn't her.
On Tuesday, the British military added to the collective confusion when its official website said Catherine would attend the Trooping the Color military parade in June – an annual event that marks the Queen's official birthday – before removing her name hours later.
Kensington Palace, which confirms whether William or Catherine will attend events, has made no such announcement.
Kensington Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
Where are the other senior royals?
In a rare move, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III would undergo prostate surgery on the same day that Kensington Palace issued a statement about Catherine's surgery, sparking concern in the UK as news emerged that two key royals were facing health issues.
Buckingham Palace announced that Charles was diagnosed with cancer last February, after undergoing prostate surgery. She said the king would stay away from most public engagements while he undergoes treatment, without specifying what type of cancer the 75-year-old has – although he has since been photographed at Sandringham waving to well-wishers, and meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. .
William raised eyebrows last month when he unexpectedly pulled out of an event over what Kensington Palace described as a “personal matter.” William was scheduled to give a reading at a memorial service for the late Greek King Constantine on February 27, but it was canceled at short notice.
When William was asked, “How is Catherine?” during their engagement last Friday, he did not seem to respond, according to video clips published by British media.
Queen Camilla is expected to take the king's place while he undergoes cancer treatment. She is expected to attend Easter Mass later this month instead, according to British media.
Prince Harry, Charles' youngest son, stepped down from official royal duties in 2020 and now lives in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, a decision that has divided public opinion in Britain. After the king's diagnosis, Harry made a 26-hour trip to Britain alone to see his father, but reportedly did not meet William.
