Kate Middleton missing conspiracy theory.

"Where's Kate Middleton?" Conspiracy Theories / Kategate

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Updated Mar 22, 2024 at 03:18PM EDT by Adam.

Added Feb 27, 2024 at 06:57PM EST by Philipp.

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Related Explainer: Where Is Kate Middleton? Conspiracy Theories About The Missing Royal Explained

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About

"Where's Kate Middleton?" Conspiracy Theories refers to a set of conspiracy theories surrounding Princess of Wales Kate Middleton not appearing in public since late December 2023 after going for a planned abdominal surgery in January 2024. Conspiracy theories range from Kate Middleton being in a coma or dead or the British royal family preparing for a divorce between her and Prince William to more humorous ones such as Middleton recovering from a Brazillian butt lift (BBL) surgery. On March 22nd, Middleton posted a video to Twitter revealing that she was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.

Origin

On December 25th, 2023, Kate Middleton made her last public appearance as of February 27th, 2024, appearing in public with Prince William and her children (seen below).[1]



On January 17th, 2024, Kensington Palace[2] released a statement that Kate Middleton underwent a planned abdominal surgery and that the Princess of Wales would be staying in the hospital for the next 10 to 14 days and would not be returning to her public duties "until after Easter." On January 29th, Kensington Palace[3] then announced that Middleton returned to Windsor to continue recuperating.

Rumors about Kate Middleton's prolonged disappearance from the public started circulating in mid-February 2024. For example, on February 19th, X[4] / Twitter user @1followernodad made a post about the royal family "shutting down press" about Middleton's whereabouts. The post (shown below) received over 790 reposts and 15,000 likes in eight days.


Sophia Benoit @1followernodad I am not trying to be a conspiracy theorist about the situation at all, but it is WILD how much the royal family has shut down press about where Kate Middleton is/why she hasn't been seen. 4:00 PM Feb 19, 2024 1.4M Views

More posts about Kate Middleton's disappearance and the lack of news reports about her status went viral on X / Twitter in the following days. For example, on February 20th, 2024, X[5] user @Chiangel1984 made a post that received over 450 reposts and 4,000 likes in one week (shown below, left). On February 23rd, X[6] user @ArchewellBaby made a post that garnered over 1,100 reposts and 13,000 likes in four days (shown below, right).


Dr. Regina Michele, J.D. @Chiangel1984 I don't mean to be a s--- stirrer, but is Kate Middleton even alive? There are no credible pictures since Christmas, someone was taken away by ambulance on 12/28, and there are vague stories about hospitals and surgeries but where the F is she? What are they hiding? 8:15 PM. Feb 20, 2024 · 330K Views Alexis is sowing discord in the West @Archewell Baby Everyday that Kate Middleton is missing with a mysterious routine abdominal surgery that requires 9 mths out of ribbon cutting work & 2 Malaysian nurses to care for her, I'm reminded that they could have gotten Meghan the in patient care she asked for while pregnant & suicidal. 12:33 AM. Feb 23, 2024 509K Views

Spread

The rumors were followed by an influx of conspiracy theories regarding what might have happened to Kate Middleton. On February 26th, 2024, X[7] user @MRSFVenom questioned the official version of the events in a post that received over 3,400 reposts and 63,000 likes in one day (shown below, left).

On February 27th, X[8] user @MadihaBlob wrote about going down the "Kate Middleton rabbit hole" and reporting on rumors that she might be in a coma or even dead, or that Prince William is leaving her for a mistress. The post (shown below, right) gained over 2,500 reposts and 48,000 likes in one day.


Liv @MRSFVenom You're telling me that Kate Middleton-the same woman who posed outside the hospital like a freaking supermodel mere hours after giving birth- suddenly requires months of recovery before showing her face? And the British press now magically respects privacy? This feels...sinister. 9:50 AM Feb 26, 2024 7.2M Views Madiha @MadihaBlob 13h I have fallen down the Where is Kate Middleton rabbit hole and I need someone to come take me out immediately. It's wild down here. 292 12K Madiha @MadihaBlob 41K 3.9M 口企 Spanish media is reporting she's in a coma, American media is reporting William is leaving her for his alleged mistress Rose Hanbury, online 2:39 PM Feb 27, 2024 · 482.9K Views sleuths are saying she's already dead and the royal family are waiting for the right moment to announce it. My head is spinning

Some users suggested humorous and outlandish reasons for why Kate Middleton was not appearing in public. On February 27th, 2024, X[9] user @Swazi_Cheri reported on a theory that Middleton donated a kidney to King Charles III in exchange for later becoming a queen. The post (shown below, left) received over 870 reposts and 13,000 likes in one day.

Later that day, X[10] user @lmxstn joked that Kate Middleton underwent a BBL (Brazilian butt lift) surgery, gaining over 940 reposts and 11,000 likes in a similar timeframe (shown below, right).


Morello @Swazi_Cheri I'm thoroughly enjoying all the Kate Middleton conspiracy theories. I have no interest in the royals but the story about her recovering from donating a kidney to Charles in exchange for becoming queen one day is sending me. 12:44 PM. Feb 27, 2024 · 243.5K Views L @lmxstn Kate Middleton walking out of Sandringham with a BBL From meme encyclopedia 3:04 PM. Feb 27, 2024 334.2K Views :

The joke theory that Kate Middleton was not appearing in public due to recovering from a BBL surgery saw notable spread in the following hours, with several memes based on it going viral.

Suspected Photograph Manipulation

On March 10th, 2024, Kensington Palace released an official photograph of Kate Middleton with her children through press and social media (photograph and X[11] post shown below, left and right).


The Prince and Princess of Wales @KensingtonRoyal Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C The Prince of Wales, 2024 5:00 AM · Mar 10, 2024 67.9M Views •

In the following hours, the photograph was scrutinized by users on X / Twitter, with posts bringing attention to signs of digital manipulation such as a part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve being transparent, as well as to Princess Kate Middleton not wearing her rings. For example, a post made by X[12] user @feelingsplain received over 3,400 reposts and 52,000 likes in one day (shown below).


marc @feelingsplain not really kept up with this whole conspiracy theory, but this photo is SOO DODGY ... two of their hands look very weird as if they're Al generated, and the girls arm has 100% been photoshopped and her skirt also looks weird as f--- as well? 8:35 AM · Mar 10, 2024 6.6M Views

Later on March 10th, four major news and image agencies – Associated Press, Getty Images, Reuters and AFP – removed the photograph from their libraries citing concerns that the image was altered. AP[13] issued a "kill notification" for the photograph, advising its clients not to use the photograph and stating that "it appears that the source has manipulated the image."


Pop Base @PopBase Multiple photo agencies such as AP and Reuters have pulled the new photo of Kate Middleton shared by Kensington Palace from circulation amid concerns that it was 'manipulated.' Associated Press said the photo was being ‘killed: “At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image." • 6:36 PM Mar 10, 2024 12.2M Views AP KILL NOTIFICATION View in browser Immediate action needed Kill Notification Clients please be advised that the following story has been killed and should no longer be used: Story Title: UK ROYALS PRINCESS Story Number: 4482422 Date of original transmission: March 10, 2024 The reason for killing the story: AT CLOSER INSPECTION IT APPEARS THAT THE SOURCE HAS MANIPULATED THE IMAGE. NO REPLACEMENT PHOTO WILL BE SENT. Please remove it from all platforms, including social, where it may still be visible. You are receiving this email because The Associated Press is now serving notice of video kills to customers via an operational email. This change will ensure all needed parties are aware of any relevant issues with AP video content. Need any help? We're open 24/7.

The development was followed by an influx of memes and posts about Kate Middleton and her current status, as well about the hypothetical person who was tasked with editing the photograph.

"Working From Home" Report

On March 21st, 2024, Kensington Palace stated that Middleton was "working from home" on a "special project" with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The update did little to convince the public, and led to jokes about what the actual special project Kate was working on was.

Cancer Diagnosis

On March 22nd, 2024, Middleton posted a video to Twitter revealing that she was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.



Various Examples


Sarasaurus @saralikeclara Kate Middleton theories: - secret baby (ginger) - game of hide & seek got out of hand - self-immolated 4 Palestine - eloped with Princess Eugenie - locked in bathroom - becoming non-binary - joined ISIS - mission 2 moon - growing out hair colouring disaster 2:37 PM Feb 27, 2024 · 129.6K Views . : V. Cadaverini @East_ Me going through Buckingham palace sewers to find Kate Middleton From Kala 12:20 PM. Feb 27, 2024 211.8K Views : Joe Gunn @joegunn SPOTTED: Kate Middleton leaving this 97-year-old NYC diner that serves its Coke the old-fashioned way Coca-Cola Can yola 1:47 PM. Feb 27, 2024 · 88.4K Views Under 217 Photo ID e : ID
stoned cold fox @roastmalone_ Kate Middleton hasn't been seen for about 2 months now | Google bbl recovery time All Images Videos News Shopping M Maps How Long Does it Take to Recover From a BBL? It takes about two to three months to make a full recovery from a Brazilian buttock lift, but it's important to keep in mind that the BBL recovery timeline varies from person to person. The first week of the BBL recovery process is the hardest for most patients. 4:10 PM. Feb 27, 2024 467.5K Views : Tater Tots McGee @tatertotsconor I don't get too involved in Royal Family drama but it's absolutely f------ wild how many Royal stans have told me today that Kate Middleton deserves privacy and speculation is rude. Did y'all forget what you did to Meghan Markle??? Be f------ for real, please. Supercalifragilisticmissmewiththatbullshit 12:44 AM. Feb 24, 2024 116.5K Views ... . Prolog 0.* Lucy Thackray @LucyInTheSky22 Not now, sweetie, mommy's down a MAJOR rabbit hole concerning Kate Middleton's whereabouts since December R 6:34 AM Feb 27, 2024 · 1.7M Views .

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