'This feels...sinister': Kate Middleton's long public absence births wild theories and a thousand memes

LONDON, UK: The months-long absence of Kate Middleton has not just cast doubt on the royal family but also resulted in a plethora of jokes and memes.

The Princess of Wales was reportedly seen last in public on December 25, 2023. Her absence from the public since then has raised concerns and birthed numerous theories and memes.

In January 2024, it was shared by the Palace that she underwent an abdominal operation but failed to disclose the diagnosis, and ever since people on the internet have gone wild.

Prince William misses King Constantine of the Hellenes’ service

The speculations got uncontrolled when Prince William decided not to attend a February 28 service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, to honor the late King Constantine of the Hellenes — who was also the Godfather of the Prince of Wales.

Though an earlier statement by Palace had said, “Based on the current medical advice, she [Kate] is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” many social media users have asked for a current photo at least so that they know the mother-of-three is fine.

What happened to Kate Middleton?

An X user tweeted, “I just can’t think of a rational reason why they wouldn’t have released a photograph of Kate Middleton by now outside of they literally cannot.”

Another user shared while referring to Kate’s children’s birth, “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.”

“I think she’s in a coma and the Middletons are threatening to tell all if the palace sets a foot wrong. It explains the Kate to Harry story. If it’s abuse it would explain why William hasn’t had access to the kids after all the amazing hands-on dad headlines,” the third one commented.

The fourth user remarked, “It’s gotta be plastic surgery - either cosmetic surgery gone wrong and needing further procedures to correct it, or reconstructive surgery due to trauma. That’s very much the only conceivable justification for not being able to show so much as a photo of her.”

Kate Middleton’s absence results in not-so-funny memes

A person posting a meme wrote, “Kate Middleton has disappeared. Script-writers of The Crown Season 7.”

The second person suggesting Kate has run away with Pete Davidson, shared, “Kate Middleton, no!”

“Current theories about Kate Middleton’s whereabouts include; BBL, botched plastic, divorce, affair, beaten into a coma by an alcoholic William, sectioned, rehab, joined ISIS, or that she’s just fully dead,” a user posted.

Another user stated, “The entire planet right now: ‘Erm.. Where is Kate Middleton?’ The Royal Family…”

“Kate Middleton gone missing, King Charles has cancer, Princess Diana dead, William is bald, Harry lost the court case but Camilla is still living her life after destroying the whole family like what kind of Gypsy is she!!” a tweet added.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.