Where is Kate Middleton? Some of the wildest conspiracy theories we’ve heard so far

Prince William and Kate photographed with Lady Rose Hanbury in 2016 (Image credit: @EACHhospices/Facebook)

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know by now that the Princess of Wales is missing – or at least she has not been seen in public since December 25, 2023. That is a long time for a senior member of the royal family whose job, literally, is to carry out official engagements and keep making public appearances. Kate Middleton, however, disappeared from the public eye long before her ‘planned’ abdominal surgery, which, according to a statement from Kensington Palace, took place on January 16.

In its statement, the palace said that Kate would resume official duties after Easter. This has done little to convince fans of the royal family – many of whom feel that something is seriously amiss. “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?” one X user asked.

The royal waters turned murkier after it emerged that a photo released by the Prince and Princess of Wales – that would be Kate and her husband, the future king of England, Prince William – was heavily doctored. The picture, released after Kate’s release from hospital, was redacted by several leading news agencies, including AP, AFP and Reuters.

Also read: The Kate Middleton mystery: A complete timeline of her ‘disappearance’

Kate Middleton soon admitted that she edited the photograph. But strangely enough, the palace has not yet released the original, unedited version of the photograph, which would have put all doubts to rest easily.

So where is Kate Middleton? That is all anybody on social media is asking these days. It has become impossible to open X or Facebook without being bombarded with conspiracy theories. The whole scandal has even birthed a new hashtag - #KateGate.

So here is a roundup of some Kate Middleton conspiracy theories we’ve read or heard over the last few days:

Prince William and Kate Middleton are divorcing

The prevailing opinion is that Prince William and Kate Middleton are headed towards divorceville. The royal couple, who have been dating since they were both in college, got married in 2011. They have three children together.

However, rumours are rife that Prince William had an affair with Lady Rose Hanbury, Marchioness of Cholmondeley, who was actually a close friend of the couple’s. The alleged affair apparently dates back to 2019, and was a closely-guarded secret that is now being discussed openly in mainstream media.

My unsolicited take on Kate Middleton based purely on absolutely nothing except watching the Crown? She is learning photoshop so she can get ready to erase Will from all family photos once the divorce is finalized.

— Dr. Ethel Tungohan (@tungohan) March 12, 2024

So one dominant theory right now is Kate does not want to be seen in public because she is divorcing Prince William.

Kate is actually sick

Not that any of you asked but my galaxy brain take on Kate Middleton is that she’s recovering from Crohn’s and had a resection or something so she’s got a colostomy bag or is on prednisone so she doesn’t want to be photographed, but that the palace is super happy everyone is…

— Emily Zanotti (@emzanotti) March 13, 2024

Some say that Kate Middleton is actually sick, and it could be something serious. On January 17, Kensington Palace released a statement saying that Kate had undergone a ‘planned’ abdominal surgery on January 16. She will resume official duties after Easter, the statement said.

Not everyone is convinced. “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,” one X user wrote in the early days of the scandal.

Instead of an abdominal surgery, Kate could have undergone surgery for something more serious and potentially embarrassing, theorised a section of the internet. Among the top contenders for this mysterious ailment - Crohn’s disease or colitis.

Kate wants to step down from royal duties

Much like her brother-in-law Prince Harry, Kate Middleton is sick of being in the public glare and wants to step down from royal duties. Because of this, she is no longer comfortable being seen in public. That, at least, is what some social media users feel.

Others say that she could be stepping down from royal duties because of her impending divorce.

Still others, however, have dismissed this theory. “You're telling us that Kate, who's been climbing the ladder to the throne since college, is now "stepping away from royal duties"? Voluntarily? Be serious,” one X user wrote.

You're telling us that Kate, who's been climbing the ladder to the throne since college, is now "stepping away from royal duties"?
Voluntarily? Be serious.
#KateGate

— Siobhan Rhys - Shining Like Fireworks (@RhysSiobhan) March 13, 2024

Not all conspiracy theories are serious. One such light-hearted theory about Kate Middleton suggests that, like millions of women before her, she gave herself an ill-advised haircut and is now waiting for her hair to grow back before she can step out in public again.

Is anyone really buying that? Not really, but it is still better than some of the more sinister theories surrounding the British royal.

it’s okay everyone, I’ve figured out where Kate Middleton is pic.twitter.com/llb9zFTCVw

— Janel Comeau (@VeryBadLlama) February 28, 2024

Another, more serious, conspiracy theory along these lines suggests that Kate has undergone some sort of surgery that has altered her appearance in some way. As such, she does not want to be seen in public, especially given that 'looking good' is part of the job description for most public personalities.

One thing, at least is clear – what started as a few funny memes on niche subreddits has turned into a full-blown PR disaster for the British royal family. It remains to be seen whether Kate will make an appearance after Easter – as per the official timeline released by Kensington Palace – or if something really is amiss with the Princess of Wales.