Kate showed poise, but it’s a scandal she had to counter lurid internet lies

Let’s hope the conspiracy theorists are proud of themselves.

There was no Disappearing Princess, no marriage breakdown nor any other of the outlandish theories circulating on the internet about Catherine, Princess of Wales, since she underwent surgery in January.

Instead, there is a young mother hit with a diagnosis of cancer having to deal with the shock of that news, but also the effect on three children aged just 10, eight and five.

Kate Middleton’s statement on Friday was delivered with the poise and control which characterises her public appearances.

But as she spoke, her voice waivered ever so slightly, particularly when talking about her children and in her message to others touched by the disease: “You are not alone,” she said.

How appalling that she was forced into this position.

We probably all know parents who, when faced with a diagnosis of serious illness, conceal the details from their young children.

Many people now live with cancer for a long time or make a recovery. Some calculate it best not to cause their children distress unnecessarily.

What’s right for one family will not be appropriate for another, it’s personal choice.

Shamefully, that choice has been denied to Kate and William.

The Royal Family may be an institution with a public, indeed constitutional, role. But does its method of operation compromise the privacy of its members?

To ensure its survival, the family, including future generations, must be projected and promoted. But at what cost?

Prince Harry may be mocked for over-sharing, but his comments about the damage of growing up in the public gaze are valid. His most private boyhood moments became public entertainment, including his mother’s funeral, when the grieving princes were dished up to the world. We look back on those young boys, forced to follow Diana’s coffin through the streets of London in front of millions and think: “It wouldn’t happen now, we’re more enlightened.”

Are we? It was clear Kate’s surgery must be serious as she cancelled engagements. Now we know she received the cancer diagnosis after the operation, but could not start chemotherapy until she healed. What a terrible strain for her.

There’s nothing sinister about wanting peace and quiet to recover from surgery. But instead of understanding and sympathy, there was an internet feeding frenzy

The hysteria has inevitably resulted in comparisons with the treatment of her late mother-in-law.

Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, famously claimed his sister was hunted to death by the paparazzi of the tabloid press.

But the pursuit of Kate in 2024 is a different sort of scandal, with a new set of villains whose lurid lies are spread not in newspapers but via TikTok.

Conspiracy theories go unchecked, particularly among those who are insecure, paranoid or suspicious as a consequence of the hand life has dealt.

There is, therefore, an enormous responsibility on traditional publications and platforms to maintain higher standards than unregulated viral influencers. More than ever, we need a professional press which adheres to factchecking, impartiality and rigorous investigation when reporting news

Quality journalism requires investment in training, research, talent and time. But the digital platforms making millions from conspiracy theories don’t invest in truth. They are happy raking it in from unregulated content which is free and false – and in this case deeply damaging to real people.