Kate Middleton was snapped by the paparazzi in Windsor after feverish speculation about whether she was “missing” following her abdominal surgery.
The Princess of Wales had not been seen since Christmas Day, when TMZ appeared to show images taken with a long lens of her sitting in the passenger seat of a car driven by her mother Carole Middleton.
The US tabloid's website said the pictures were taken near Windsor Castle, while the Chron speculated that the couple may have been returning home after the school run, reporting they were just before 9am been recorded.
Kate Middleton visits AW Hainsworth, a historic textile factory in Leeds, England on September 26, 2023. The Princess of Wales and her mother Carole Middleton [inset] were photographed by paparazzi in pictures that ran on September 26, 2023… Kate Middleton visits AW Hainsworth, a historic textile factory, in Leeds, England, on September 26, 2023. The Princess of Wales and her mother Carole Middleton [inset] were snapped by paparazzi in pictures that ran on TMZ. More images from Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Pressure mounted on Kensington Palace to release a picture of Kate as wild theories emerged on social media, including claims by a Spanish journalist that she was in an induced coma, which aides told Newsweek were “ridiculous.”
However, the fact that paparazzi images were taken during a sensitive recovery period and, if the Mail's speculation is correct, at a sensitive moment in the school run, now poses a major challenge to the palace's hard line on privacy.
So far, no British broadcaster has published the images, with some, including ITV's royal editor Chris Ship, publicly citing their privacy as the reason.
He wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “There are lots of pictures of the Princess of Wales.”
We are not allowing her to walk while she recovers from her surgery within the time frame we were given out of respect for her privacy.
“As far as I know, no other British broadcaster or newspaper has published the photos.”
The move could well be more than just respect, as privacy rights in Britain and Europe are stricter than in America, as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry previously drove paparazzi agency Splash News and Pictures into bankruptcy under similar circumstances.
The photo agency obtained photos of Meghan Markle with Prince Archie at her chest in a baby carrier in a public park in Canada in January 2020.
While there is no right to privacy in a public place in California under European data protection laws, there is a right to privacy when a public figure is pursuing their private life.
However, there may be little they can do about TMZ since it is a US-based channel.
However, it will be doubly frustrating for Prince William that the photographer and the website not only violated Kate's privacy, but also made significant sums of money from it.
The question might also arise as to whether the photographer had the opportunity to make money from the photo precisely because the palace was unwilling to voluntarily publish one earlier.
A statement from Kensington Palace on January 17 announced Kate's operation while requesting privacy.
It read: “Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to the London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The operation was successful and she is expected to remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days before returning home to continue her recovery.
“Based on current medical advice, it is unlikely that she will return to her public duties until after Easter.
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public understands her desire to maintain as much normality as possible for her children and her desire for their personal medical information to remain confidential.”
“Kensington Palace will therefore only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’s progress when there is important new information to share.”
“The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to all those affected by her having to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to welcoming back as many as possible as quickly as possible.”
Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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Newsweek strives to challenge conventional wisdom and find connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek strives to challenge conventional wisdom and find connections in the search for common ground.