Months after her planned abdominal surgery, Kate Middleton’s condition and whereabouts remain largely unknown.

Aside from brief statements about her well-being, the Palace has provided no details, fueling speculation. Adding to the controversy was a Mother’s Day photo of Kate with her children, which media outlets later pulled due to apparent manipulation.

News agencies, including the Associated Press and Getty, issued a “kill notice” advising against the use of the image. The Associated Press stated, “It appears that the source has manipulated the image,” citing inconsistencies, particularly in Princess Charlotte’s hand.

Kate later admitted to editing the photo herself, writing on X, “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.” However, the Palace’s refusal to release the unedited version only intensified speculation, with some questioning whether Kate was truly behind the situation.

Following the photo controversy, concern over Kate’s condition has only grown. Royal expert Hilary Fordwich criticized the Palace’s handling of the situation, calling it “yet another public relations disaster.”