06 March 2024 , 07:00
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The Princess of Wales is mirroring one key royal figure - and making crackpot conspiracy theorists think again, according to an expert.
Kate has been away from the public spotlight for more than two months now following abdominal surgery earlier this year. When her surgery was announced back in January, Kensington Palace explained she would not return to duties until after Easter. However, this hasn't stopped outlandish speculation on social media about the princess by those frustrated by the lack of updates and several whacky theories have emerged. On Monday, Kate was spotted for the first time since her surgery being driven by her mum Carole on the Windsor estate - and photos were published on US sites. It was the first time she had been seen since Christmas Day last year.
Kate with her husband Prince William (AP)Yesterday, the Army's official website announced Kate was to carry out her first major engagement since her operation when she reviews Trooping the Colour on June 8 - but the claim was removed after several hours. It is understood the Army did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing the page, and the website has been updated. Only Kensington Palace, Kate's official office, can announce her attendance at a royal event and confirmation is not expected until nearer the time.
And royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop, told the Mirror: "Even the Ministry of Defence have had to back off. On the Army website it claimed the Princess of Wales would attend Trooping the Colour on 8 June.
"But they've since withdrawn the reference – no one, not even the MoD, can tell Kate what to do. Don't mess with our future Queen. As for those conspiracy theorists who think they’ve got to the Princess with their crackpot nonsense, they can think again. In recent years bilious nonsense and hate iterated in the name of royal trolling has assumed epic proportions.
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Kate with the late Queen back in 2012 (Getty)"Even royal correspondents (by definition several steps removed) often turn off comments on their social media accounts. We know cruel and life-threatening online abuse turned Harry and Meghan's lives upside down; cleaning up the internet is now one of their life missions.
"Meanwhile Kate doesn't need to go there. She has a team who look after her online profile, protecting her from the dark, sometimes dangerous world of below-the-line comments. Her serene public image is not accidental.
"Why on earth would the princess waste her time and sacrifice her mental health reading baseless stories written by sad keyboard warriors? However unpleasant, anyone can publish their opinion these days. If internet no-lifers were writing the script, long before her operation Kate would have been written off."
And Tessa argues that thanks to a tight-knit support network and her mirroring of the late Queen, Kate does not need to give in to online conspiracies. She added: "Protected by the ancient institution of monarchy and her close family, the Princess of Wales has more important things on her mind. As for giving the public an official photograph to 'prove' she is better, or rushing back to work, she doesn't need to.
"If this hoo-ha has shown us anything, it is the value of Kate's brand. Like the late Queen before her, she has no need to explain herself. There is only one Princess of Wales, she can take as long as she likes. "