I find all the conspiracies/attention around this so weird. The original statement said she wouldn’t be back at work until around Easter-time, which is still several weeks away. She wasn’t expected back yet anyway, and like most people recovering from an illness/surgery, she wouldn’t be out and about shopping, she would be at home, resting. Do people not read anymore? I fear the lack of critical thinking in this world or just basic lack of ability to read the original statement is an alarming sign for the future in general. I’m glad for your reasoned, thoughtful analysis, you seem one of the few sane people out there!
Thank you Jane for your excellent analysis! It is so sad how this has snowballed. All Kate wants is a bit of privacy and she deserves it. I can only imagine the emotional pain this has caused Kate who has never had on misstep!
I think this whole bizarre series of dramas says a lot more about the media and how dependent they are on royals to feed their profits than it does about W&C they seem to be just living their lives
Thank you, Jane. BTW Kate was pictured (though very obscured) in the car with William when he was heading for the Commonwealth Day Service. I presume she was going for a follow-up medical appointment. And William has been at a number of engagements and been engaged and cheerful. Hardly likely if his wife was at death's door.
This is what has amazed me with all of this. What would the endgame be? Eventually the truth would have to come out - she's one of the most famous women in the world. If William had her locked in a tower, eventually someone would have to go looking for her. Ridiculous. I do believe it is quite possible ( + with Tom Bower and now Dan Wootton both suggesting she's *still* very ill) Catherine has been facing something far more serious than she wants the public to know. For all we know, she's dealing with a life-altering long-term change and needs the time to process it before it hits every newsstand in the world. I've found it a little odd none of the info from Kensington Palace has said they expect a full recovery. Alarm bells went off when the first statement was made because what the Royals don't say is often as important as what they do say. ("Home to continue recovery", "good progress", etc.) It seems some grace and kindness would go a long way while this poor woman tries to heal. I hope she can take the rest of this time to rest and recover. I'm just not so sure the public/press is going to allow her to! My prayers are with her.
I think the lesson here is that the BRF and the Palace is not immune to the public's distrust of institutions, whether government or otherwise, since Covid, Spare and everything else. These days, we expect that everything, including news about public figures, to be a PR-mitigated shadow of the real thing. So we wonder and guess and try to fill in the vacuum of missing details. Because we follow, and we care, and for those who claim it's none of our business ( it's not), we associate with Kate in a virtual but not insignificant way. No shame in that.
Secondly, I think the conspiracy theories that have the most legs are the ones that pertain to Kate's health. I think things are much, much worse for her than the Palace has indicated, and this alone -- rather than some story about the imprisoned wife in an attic at Windsor -- is scary enough. I think those "conspiracy theories" could potentially be true and alarming enough.
Once again, your analysis is spot on. Thank you, Jane. When HM The Queen passed away, the world was informed within hours. (And similar with other member of the royal family). Let’s all assume good intentions and let this woman who lives a public life, have a few months of privacy for a medical procedure and recovery.
Another great analysis, Jane. Literally Lol ing at the “no one wondered if Elizabeth or any of the children were dead or wrongfully imprisoned.” comment.
I don’t believe Catherine ever wanted to be another Diana. But leading up to the end of last year, that was what was trending. Kate the savior of the monarchy! She outshone everyone, so the Press said. And yes, I believe she did outshine but not because of anything she wanted to do—she was not a “Look at me!” Person.
And then she got ill. Like many of us get ill, illness often comes out of the blue, no respecter of age, of economic status. We all emerge from our illnesses with a different worldview. We know we aren’t immortal. We know what’s most important. We only have to look at recent Royal women, Empress Masako of Japan, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Princess Charlene of Monaco, to see the added burden that fame put on their health struggles (although the Norwegian Press have been far kinder to Mette-Marit, perhaps because she explained from the start what was happening, perhaps because she knew she is not going to get better and was going to often have to pull out of things and perhaps because the Norwegians are just kinder period.
Anyway, Kate has been ill. A lot of adjustment for her, for her family. What all this speculation has done not only to her, but far, far, worse to the family that love her (the children can’t be kept in a bubble, they will know, probably far too much) is reprehensible. If she were to decide to “retire” because of all of this cruelty and stay out of the limelight from here on, I for one wouldn’t blame her at all. She has the freedom to do it. As you point out, Jane, it wouldn’t be “abdicating” it would be retiring. Just like Masako did in Japan for a few years, just like Charlene did for a year, just as Mette-Marit does from time to time. Would it be a tragedy—for those of us who love her and what she has epitomized, grace and kindness, loyalty and love, and for the many, many people who’ve benefited from all the causes she’s espoused, the work she’s done, yes it would. We should be doing everything we can to support her and convince her, somehow, that she won’t be treated like this again.
Maybe it’s the 7 in me (the Enthusiast on the Enneagram) that’s talking but I have lived a long time and I HAVE seen people retire from public life, become less visible, become quieter. I would be so sad to see her pull back even farther but I would completely understand.
If she was an elected official, tasked with matters of state or negotiating foreign policy, then yes, the public would have a right to know what is going on with her medically. While I am personally very curious and would love an explanation, if this were me, I would want it kept private too. Especially when you consider what her children might read in the papers or what others kids at their school might say to them. She wanted to “maintain as much normalcy for her children as possible.” I think any mother can understand wanting to protect your children, especially from something as scary and as out of the norm as this.
I read a great article it the Atlantic that highlights the infectiousness of the internet sleuthing that people have tried to use here. People who are looking for things will many times experience confirmation bias. If they want something to be good, they see it as good (even if bad is there). If they want something to be bad, they see it as bad (even if there is good present). I think it is the lack of details people now are able to get on a regular basis from all corners of the globe via social media for people who they don't even know that has us clamoring for more. I think her situation is clearly very complicated, and may not have seemed so complicated at the outset (or maybe complicated was considered in the range of possibilities, but not what anyone necessarily expected). I continue to wish her smooth progress on her recovery, hope that her family will continue to be supported as they support her, and look forward to seeing her again when she is ready and able. Also it would not be unprecedented for the wife of the heir to take on less duties due to medical and mental health needs (see Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Empress Masako when she as Crown Princess).
I am dying laughing. You have such a way with words, Jane. It all sounds so absurd when laid out so clearly. I hope she is convalescing and recovering well. I still think William not showing up to King Constantine’s memorial was a bad look and that the palace PR has been way too slow to react. I firmly believe they are PR professionals on earth who could have steered public perspective in an entirely different way and that the Prince and Princess should really consider hiring such professionals instead of leaving their image in the hands of a few private secretaries who are more like friends than pros. And I wish they hadn’t released the Mother’s Day picture at all, but what’s done is done there. All in all, I loved this post, Jane. Keep it up!
Knocked it out of the park with this one, Jane! Breaking it down the way you have, just makes sense.
Side note: Love how well you’ve covered this. I know you’re a busy attorney, wife, mother and daughter. Appreciate all the time you’ve taken lately to get all these awesome posts out.
Another great analysis Jane! Thank you for always keeping up with these posts during these crazy times! I’m with you on this one, no matter what people continue to speculate it all just goes back to the original statement which is she’s right on track and exactly where they said she would be, resting until at least Easter. I feel like the timing of all of this with Charles being ill and out just creates the perfect storm for the press to act like the monarchy is crumbling… I feel like at this point she may never share what is going on both to protect the children from comments and the way she has been treated by the press in the last few weeks. This woman has been FLAWLESS for what 20 years now? We never even heard her voice until the engagement interview, she’s never missed a step, proudly showed off those babies to the world hours after birth only for her to be treated this way the first time she ever truly asked for privacy. It’s just awful and I agree our current social media culture is a scary place. I hope to see our princess at Easter just not wearing trousers 😬
I find all the conspiracies/attention around this so weird. The original statement said she wouldn’t be back at work until around Easter-time, which is still several weeks away. She wasn’t expected back yet anyway, and like most people recovering from an illness/surgery, she wouldn’t be out and about shopping, she would be at home, resting. Do people not read anymore? I fear the lack of critical thinking in this world or just basic lack of ability to read the original statement is an alarming sign for the future in general. I’m glad for your reasoned, thoughtful analysis, you seem one of the few sane people out there!
Thanks for this level-headed commentary. The volume of conspiracy theories based on absolutely nothing are disturbing, to say the least!
I’m so irritated with all the speculation. I agree with you, Jane.
Thank you Jane for your excellent analysis! It is so sad how this has snowballed. All Kate wants is a bit of privacy and she deserves it. I can only imagine the emotional pain this has caused Kate who has never had on misstep!
I think this whole bizarre series of dramas says a lot more about the media and how dependent they are on royals to feed their profits than it does about W&C they seem to be just living their lives
Thank you, Jane. BTW Kate was pictured (though very obscured) in the car with William when he was heading for the Commonwealth Day Service. I presume she was going for a follow-up medical appointment. And William has been at a number of engagements and been engaged and cheerful. Hardly likely if his wife was at death's door.
This is what has amazed me with all of this. What would the endgame be? Eventually the truth would have to come out - she's one of the most famous women in the world. If William had her locked in a tower, eventually someone would have to go looking for her. Ridiculous. I do believe it is quite possible ( + with Tom Bower and now Dan Wootton both suggesting she's *still* very ill) Catherine has been facing something far more serious than she wants the public to know. For all we know, she's dealing with a life-altering long-term change and needs the time to process it before it hits every newsstand in the world. I've found it a little odd none of the info from Kensington Palace has said they expect a full recovery. Alarm bells went off when the first statement was made because what the Royals don't say is often as important as what they do say. ("Home to continue recovery", "good progress", etc.) It seems some grace and kindness would go a long way while this poor woman tries to heal. I hope she can take the rest of this time to rest and recover. I'm just not so sure the public/press is going to allow her to! My prayers are with her.
I think the lesson here is that the BRF and the Palace is not immune to the public's distrust of institutions, whether government or otherwise, since Covid, Spare and everything else. These days, we expect that everything, including news about public figures, to be a PR-mitigated shadow of the real thing. So we wonder and guess and try to fill in the vacuum of missing details. Because we follow, and we care, and for those who claim it's none of our business ( it's not), we associate with Kate in a virtual but not insignificant way. No shame in that.
Secondly, I think the conspiracy theories that have the most legs are the ones that pertain to Kate's health. I think things are much, much worse for her than the Palace has indicated, and this alone -- rather than some story about the imprisoned wife in an attic at Windsor -- is scary enough. I think those "conspiracy theories" could potentially be true and alarming enough.
Once again, your analysis is spot on. Thank you, Jane. When HM The Queen passed away, the world was informed within hours. (And similar with other member of the royal family). Let’s all assume good intentions and let this woman who lives a public life, have a few months of privacy for a medical procedure and recovery.
Another great analysis, Jane. Literally Lol ing at the “no one wondered if Elizabeth or any of the children were dead or wrongfully imprisoned.” comment.
I don’t believe Catherine ever wanted to be another Diana. But leading up to the end of last year, that was what was trending. Kate the savior of the monarchy! She outshone everyone, so the Press said. And yes, I believe she did outshine but not because of anything she wanted to do—she was not a “Look at me!” Person.
And then she got ill. Like many of us get ill, illness often comes out of the blue, no respecter of age, of economic status. We all emerge from our illnesses with a different worldview. We know we aren’t immortal. We know what’s most important. We only have to look at recent Royal women, Empress Masako of Japan, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Princess Charlene of Monaco, to see the added burden that fame put on their health struggles (although the Norwegian Press have been far kinder to Mette-Marit, perhaps because she explained from the start what was happening, perhaps because she knew she is not going to get better and was going to often have to pull out of things and perhaps because the Norwegians are just kinder period.
Anyway, Kate has been ill. A lot of adjustment for her, for her family. What all this speculation has done not only to her, but far, far, worse to the family that love her (the children can’t be kept in a bubble, they will know, probably far too much) is reprehensible. If she were to decide to “retire” because of all of this cruelty and stay out of the limelight from here on, I for one wouldn’t blame her at all. She has the freedom to do it. As you point out, Jane, it wouldn’t be “abdicating” it would be retiring. Just like Masako did in Japan for a few years, just like Charlene did for a year, just as Mette-Marit does from time to time. Would it be a tragedy—for those of us who love her and what she has epitomized, grace and kindness, loyalty and love, and for the many, many people who’ve benefited from all the causes she’s espoused, the work she’s done, yes it would. We should be doing everything we can to support her and convince her, somehow, that she won’t be treated like this again.
Maybe it’s the 7 in me (the Enthusiast on the Enneagram) that’s talking but I have lived a long time and I HAVE seen people retire from public life, become less visible, become quieter. I would be so sad to see her pull back even farther but I would completely understand.
If she was an elected official, tasked with matters of state or negotiating foreign policy, then yes, the public would have a right to know what is going on with her medically. While I am personally very curious and would love an explanation, if this were me, I would want it kept private too. Especially when you consider what her children might read in the papers or what others kids at their school might say to them. She wanted to “maintain as much normalcy for her children as possible.” I think any mother can understand wanting to protect your children, especially from something as scary and as out of the norm as this.
I read a great article it the Atlantic that highlights the infectiousness of the internet sleuthing that people have tried to use here. People who are looking for things will many times experience confirmation bias. If they want something to be good, they see it as good (even if bad is there). If they want something to be bad, they see it as bad (even if there is good present). I think it is the lack of details people now are able to get on a regular basis from all corners of the globe via social media for people who they don't even know that has us clamoring for more. I think her situation is clearly very complicated, and may not have seemed so complicated at the outset (or maybe complicated was considered in the range of possibilities, but not what anyone necessarily expected). I continue to wish her smooth progress on her recovery, hope that her family will continue to be supported as they support her, and look forward to seeing her again when she is ready and able. Also it would not be unprecedented for the wife of the heir to take on less duties due to medical and mental health needs (see Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Empress Masako when she as Crown Princess).
I am dying laughing. You have such a way with words, Jane. It all sounds so absurd when laid out so clearly. I hope she is convalescing and recovering well. I still think William not showing up to King Constantine’s memorial was a bad look and that the palace PR has been way too slow to react. I firmly believe they are PR professionals on earth who could have steered public perspective in an entirely different way and that the Prince and Princess should really consider hiring such professionals instead of leaving their image in the hands of a few private secretaries who are more like friends than pros. And I wish they hadn’t released the Mother’s Day picture at all, but what’s done is done there. All in all, I loved this post, Jane. Keep it up!
Knocked it out of the park with this one, Jane! Breaking it down the way you have, just makes sense.
Side note: Love how well you’ve covered this. I know you’re a busy attorney, wife, mother and daughter. Appreciate all the time you’ve taken lately to get all these awesome posts out.
Another great analysis Jane! Thank you for always keeping up with these posts during these crazy times! I’m with you on this one, no matter what people continue to speculate it all just goes back to the original statement which is she’s right on track and exactly where they said she would be, resting until at least Easter. I feel like the timing of all of this with Charles being ill and out just creates the perfect storm for the press to act like the monarchy is crumbling… I feel like at this point she may never share what is going on both to protect the children from comments and the way she has been treated by the press in the last few weeks. This woman has been FLAWLESS for what 20 years now? We never even heard her voice until the engagement interview, she’s never missed a step, proudly showed off those babies to the world hours after birth only for her to be treated this way the first time she ever truly asked for privacy. It’s just awful and I agree our current social media culture is a scary place. I hope to see our princess at Easter just not wearing trousers 😬