Amid a flurry of social media conspiracy theories, Kensington Palace last week reiterated that it had “made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery” and “that guidance stands.” Separately, a royal source had told CNN that she “continues to be doing well.”
The public also got the first sighting of Kate since her January operation after she was spotted in Windsor, just outside London, this week.
The princess was seen wearing dark sunglasses and sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.
CNN decided not to publish the paparazzi shot when it began to circulate on social media on Monday. The photograph does not appear to have been used by any British media outlet.
There was no palace guidance sent out urging the media to avoid the photograph. CNN opted not to publish it on the basis that it may have been taken on private land, potentially amounting to a breach of privacy that wasn’t outweighed by any other newsworthy value. (In the UK, courts have held that privacy law is breached when an individual holds a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”)
The other consideration is that while we know Kate’s operation was not cancer-related, we don’t know how serious her condition is or what stage of recovery she is at.
The existence of the photograph did, however, quash some of the wilder rumors and conspiracy theories circulating recently on social media about the princess’ health and whereabouts.
The palace is facing mounting public pressure to share more information about the future Queen, but it has taken a firm line on protecting her privacy. For the family, it’s a deeply personal question around how much of their individual freedoms to give up in the public interest.
