Ever since Kate Middleton announced that she had cancer, her life has been at the center of debate. Every time she appears in public, questions echo: What type of cancer is the princess really suffering from? Is she wearing a wig?
However, following her appearance at the solemn Remembrance Day events, new rumors have begun to circulate that Kate has apparently never had cancer.
Kate Middleton doesn’t have cancer?
The story began at Christmas 2023, when the princess faded from the public eye. Back in January, she revealed that she had undergone abdominal surgery, which only fueled speculation.
In March, after conspiracy theories were unleashed, she herself came out to announce that she had cancer and would undergo preventive chemotherapies.
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” Kate stated, adding that her diagnosis ‘came as a huge shock’ to her and her family.
The funny thing is that she never specified what type of cancer she was facing. Since then, Kate’s every move has caught the public’s attention.
After a few appearances, she announced in September that she had concluded her cancer treatment.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long, and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
However, the controversy did not stop there. A journalist questioned her health situation and suggested that Kate might not have had cancer at all.
This issue gained traction thanks to a report by Rhiannon Mills, the senior royal editor at Sky News, who wrote about Middleton’s announcement in reporting that she was cancer-free.
“In March, the princess confirmed that pre-cancerous cells had been found following abdominal surgery and that she would have to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy,” Mills documented.
The mention of “pre-cancerous cells” set off alarm bells and generated distrust about Middleton’s condition, particularly because Mills’ reputation in the British media is undisputed, reports The New York Post.
According to the Daily Beast, Mills is part of the royal rota, a group of accredited journalists who work closely with the royal household.
Despite the controversy, the palace has not corrected the “precancerous cells” portion of its report, which has provided more fuel to the fire of conspiracy theories.
One doctor commented to the Daily Beast that you either have precancerous cells or you have cancer; the two terms are not interchangeable.
What are pre-cancer cells?
According to the American Cancer Society, they are cells that have abnormal changes and the potential to become cancerous.
Although they are not cancerous per se, their presence indicates an increased risk of developing cancer in the future.
For example, in the context of cervical cancer, precancerous cells can be detected through tests such as the Pap smear, and treating them early can prevent them from developing into invasive cancer.
As the princess focuses on her recovery, it appears she will have to deal not only with her health, but also with a constant barrage of conspiracy theories about her diagnosis.
The media attention may be overwhelming, but perhaps what Kate really needs is a little space to heal and the peace of mind of not being under everyone’s critical eye.