Home / Latest News / King Charles

Palace Faux Pas: News Coverage of Kate Middleton's Mystery Illness Has 'Backfired' on the Royals and 'Created a Storm' of Negativity

Unlike in decades past, news coverage of Kate, Princess of Wales' or any senior royal's mystery illness is no longer 'rallying the nation.'

kate middleton
Kate, Princess of Wales, is recovering from abdominal surgery. Source: MEGA

News coverage of Kate, Princess of Wales and King Charles III's recent health concerns has perhaps not gone as palace PR gurus likely were expecting.

"I think that some of it's actually kind of backfired on the royal family. And I don't think that it's the royal family's fault necessarily," journalist Joanna Jarjue told an outlet.

kate middleton

"I think that it would have been good to have that kind of transparency from Kate as well as Charles, for the people who are worried sick and really concerned about her. But also it just creates this kind of storm," she added. "But I think some of the reporting, especially when it comes to William and how he's supporting her, I don't think that it's with the public as much as what certain people thought it would."

King Charles III, whose own prostate operation was a success on Friday, January 26, will be "more worried than anyone other than Prince William about" Kate, Princess of Wales, as she recovers from a "serious" condition that required abdominal surgery on January 16.

"He's a huge fan of hers. He thinks she's a great asset," royal author and historian Robert Hardman dished.

kate middleton

"She's fit, she's young, and she's out of action for three months," he added. "That's a cause for concern, not alarm, but he'll definitely be taking the view, 'For God's sake, don't make her feel she's got to come back to duties any sooner than she feels she needs to.' I don't think there's anyone who wants to put any kind of pressure on her."

The future queen is currently recovering in the London Clinic after abdominal surgery, and it will likely come as a surprise to many that conflicting reports suggest that Her Royal Highness plans to stay busy during her 10-12-week recuperation. A source close to the next Queen Consort said that she has an "unwavering commitment to duty" while sharing her intention to "work from bed."

kate middleton

"We don't know what's wrong or why she needed the operation," psychiatrist Dr. Max Pemberton told an outlet when highlighting Kate's predicament. "But Kate has always struck me as quite down-to-earth, level-headed, and stoical, so I'm sure she wouldn't have heeded medical advice and taken that much time off unless really necessary."

He continued: "Of course, there's always someone who will tell you how they had a hysterectomy in their lunch break, or their appendix removed while on the school run."

Royal analysts have pointed out how the recent royal health scares are not "societal moments of anxiousness" as they were under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. "People are just not as quick to revere the Crown as they were even as late as five or so years ago," a royal insider spilled.

kate middleton

Powered by RedCircle

GBN interviewed Jarjue.

GET BREAKING ROYAL NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

More Stories

While Andrew has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons, his encounter with an alleged stalker has left everyone scared.
By Medha Sengupta · AUG 7, 2026
Kate Middleton's latest Wimbledon outfit wasn't all-new—and that's exactly what caught fashion fans' attention!
By Mehak Walia · JUL 13, 2026
Getting invited to the Swift-Kelce wedding became a race, a status symbol, as numerous high-profile individuals lobbied to get an inside pass.
By Mary Anthony · JUL 6, 2026
Prince William joked about Travis Kelce’s most memorable moment being outside his football career.
By Mary Anthony · JUL 3, 2026
Princess Anne stepped out in this iconic dress from 1984 and royal fans are impressed!
By Hrishita Das · JUN 27, 2026
Kate Middleton and Melinda Gates reportedly came together at Windsor Castle over a shared passion for a cause they both support.
By Ira Deokule · JUN 25, 2026
Prince William and Robert Irwin's appearance at a climate event was meant to inspire change, but fans quickly focused on something else.
By Mary Anthony · JUN 24, 2026
Royal watchers may have spotted a subtle shift in the monarchy during Trooping the Colour 2026, and it's closely aligned with Prince William's long-term plans for the institution.
By Mary Anthony · JUN 13, 2026
As King Charles celebrates Trooping the Colour, actress Helen Mirren has been awarded one of Britain's rarest honors.
By Hrishita Das · JUN 13, 2026
Meghan Markle treats fans to a new family photo carousel featuring Prince Harry, Prince Lilibet, and a sweet nod to pop icon Beyoncé.
By Ira Deokule · JUN 10, 2026