Where is Kate Middleton? 12 bizarre conspiracy theories surrounding Princess of Wale's extended absence

Restless internet users have come up with several conspiracy theories to explain Kate Middleton's absence
PUBLISHED MAR 14, 2024
Kate Middleton was last seen in December 2023 and her absence since then has got the internet brewing with theories about her whereabouts (Getty Images)
Kate Middleton was last seen in December 2023 and her absence since then has got the internet brewing with theories about her whereabouts (Getty Images)

12 conspiracy theories about the disappearance of Kate Middleton

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Mia Tindall attend Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023, in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, and Mia Tindall attended Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023, in Sandringham, Norfolk (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Kate Middleton's disappearance from the public eye has given birth to multiple bizarre conspiracy theories. The last official public sighting of the Princess of Wales was on December 25, 2023. Although in January, the Palace announced that she had undergone a planned abdominal surgery, the statement did not reveal any further details and left her fans worried. Each passing day without any information about the Princess's whereabouts has made people restless and fuelled conspiracy theories. Let's take a look at 12 such wild conspiracy theories: 

1. Kate Middleton’s manipulated photo scandal

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge hears from families and key organisa
Kate Middleton faced controversy over her latest post (Getty Images)

The latest speculation regarding the Princess of Wales’ disappearance started when a UK Mother’s Day post was shared via her and the Prince of Wales’ Instagram account. But it was soon revealed that it was photoshopped. Kate even apologized for it, resulting in different theories, like “This tweet is fake as hell,” and “I am struggling to believe that the most famous royal family in the world - and the woman who would be queen - fiddled around with photoshop and put out a family pic (designed to quash rumors about her whereabouts) without anyone in the ranks inspecting it. Nah. Not buying it.”

2. Is Prince William cheating on Kate Middleton?

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine,Duchess of Cambridge visit French President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace during day one of their visit on March 17, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)
Conspiracy theorists believe that Prince William is having an affair (Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

Another wild theory related to the missing princess is her husband’s alleged infidelity. Many have shared that Prince Willam is romantically involved with Lady Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. An X user said, “Where is Kate? Where is William? I would not be surprised if it is announced they are separating over a Prince William affair with his old flame Lady Rose Hanbury. A Camilla 3 in the marriage situation. The apple doesn’t fall far from the jolly old tree. Just saying and speculating.”

3. Kate Middleton suffering from health complications post-surgery

A selection of front pages from UK daily national newspaper coverage of of King Charles and Catherine, The Princess of Wales being admitted to hospital on January 18, 2024 in London, England. Catherine, The Princess of Wales, was admitted to The London Clinic for abdominal surgery yesterday. The surgery was successful and she will recover in the hospital for the next 10-14 days and is not expected to resume formal engagements until after Easter. (Photo by Ming Yeung/Getty Images)
A selection of front pages from UK daily national newspaper coverage of King Charles and Catherine, The Princess of Wales, being admitted to a hospital on January 18, 2024, in London (Ming Yeung/Getty Images)

Many online users have also speculated that Kate’s operation led her to deteriorating health and she needs extra rest and care than what was expected earlier. A person on X wrote, “I’ve been trying to stay out of this Kate Middleton stuff but I have a theory, and it’s not one I’ve seen yet. I think she tried to k*ll herself. I think the abdominal surgery was her stomach being pumped, she had a 2 week hold and she’s now being treated for mental health issues.”

4. Kate Middleton taking an extended sabbatical after operation

UXBRIDGE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Catherine, Princess of Wales visits Colham Manor Children's Centre
Another speculation suggests that Catherine, Princess of Wales is just taking an extended break(Getty Images)

There is another speculation doing the rounds regarding Kate Middleton but this is a positive one that suggests that the mother-of-three is just taking an extended break before returning to work.

5. Public trust in the royal family eroding

TREADDUR, WALES - FEBRUARY 24:  Prince William and Kate Middleton wave to the crowds after officiall
People are allegedly beginning to lose trust in the royal family (Getty Images)

Many people have expressed their doubts about Kate’s whereabouts which have been shared by the Palace sporadically. An X user tweeted, “You don’t need to be interested in the Royal Family to ponder when Kate Middleton hasn’t been seen for over 2 months & her husband releases a doctored ‘proof of life’ photo. 🤔”

6. Kate Middleton and Prince Williams’ troubled relationship

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Ca
It has been speculated that Kate Middleton and Prince William's marriage is in trouble (Getty Images)

Rumors of divorce have also begun doing rounds on the internet after Kate’s disappearance. and it has been speculated that there have been issues between the future King and Queen. A person tweeted, “I think Kate Middleton has checked out of the marriage & asked for a divorce&is somewhere with the kids chilling. Maybe she hit her breaking point and decided she was done with the RF. S’why they are scrambling. Maybe William has a baby on the way with his mistress?#WhereIsKateMiddleton.”

7. Kate Middleton’s missing wedding ring

Catherine, Princess of Wales makes a heart sign with her hands during her visit to Fitzalan High School as she celebrates the beginning of Black History Month on October 03, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush, the Prince and Princess of Wales will hear from pupils about the work they have been doing around black history. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
A photo of Catherine, Princess of Wales without her wedding ring added fuel to the fire (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The controversial photo released by the Prince and Princess of Wales' official page showed Kate without her wedding ring, adding fuel to the fire.

8. Prince William carrying on official duties while the Kate Middleton controversy rages

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - SEPTEMBER: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meets attendees of a PSNI W
Prince William is continuing with his royal duties while the controversy surrounding Kate Middleton's disappearance rages on (Getty Images)

Prince William has not taken a break after Kate’s photo controversy. He recently attended an event at Frameless Immersive Art Experience and was also seen at a Commonwealth service with Queen Camilla.

9. Kate Middleton entered the 'Princess Protection Program'

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on stage during the first Earthshot Pr
Some on the internet have suggested that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has joined the 'Princess Protection Program' (Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Some on the internet have suggested that Kate has joined the 'Princess Protection Program', referring to the 2009 Disney movie. An X user commented, “Can’t believe Kate Middleton entered the princess protection program.” Another one added, “Kate Middleton isn’t missing she’s joined the Princess Protection Program!” The film's synopsis says, “A princess whose country has been invaded goes into hiding in Louisiana, where she has to learn to act like an ordinary teenager.”

10. Kate Middleton is probably a 'Masked Singer' contestant

DARLINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27:  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Manor Farm in Lit
Some users have jokingly claimed that Kate Middleton is hiding since she wants to appear on ‘The Masked Singer’ (Getty Images)

Some users have jokingly opined that Kate Middleton is hiding since she wants to make an appearance on the reality show — ‘The Masked Singer’. “The Kate Middleton reveal on Masked Singer is going to make all of us look silly,” a person tweeted.

11. Kate Middleton stepping down from royal duties

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge vi
Conspiracy theorists allege Kate Middleton might step down from royal duties (Getty Images)

The rumor that Kate Middleton would be stepping down from her royal duties has also been suggested amid her disappearance. A tweet read, “Prince William Distraught as Princess Kate Middleton Considers Stepping Down from Royal Duties. #KateMiddleton #PrincessofWales.”

12. Kate Middleton’s hairstyle change

CARDIFF, WALES - DECEMBER 08: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visit Cardiff Castle to meet local uni
Another light-hearted theory suggests that Kate Middleton had a haircut that went sideways (Getty Images)

Another light-hearted speculation about Kate’s disappearance is that she cut her hair but it did not turn out as expected and now she is waiting to grow her hair out before making a public appearance. A user tweeted, “I mean realistically Kate Middleton just had an opinion or did something fun or cut her hair without running it by 30 people first, and because of that she is being kept in a big locked box somewhere.”

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