Celebrities and social media conspiracy theorists today began a climbdown after sharing wild claims about the Princess of Wales – as pressure grows on Kim Kardashian to delete an ‘insensitive’ joke she made on Instagram.
Kate’s announcement last night that she has cancer followed weeks of cruel speculation on platforms including X, Instagram and TikTok, where trolls shared mocking posts and memes about her whereabouts.
The news sparked grovelling apologies from the likes of left-wing journalist Owen Jones and the actress Blake Lively, who expressed sorrow for ill-judged remarks they had made online.
Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code who collaborated with Meghan Markle for a campaign to change the perception of mothers on TV, said she felt ‘disgusted’ with herself for joining in with speculation about Kate.
They were joined by scores of social media users and TikTok influencers who apologised for revelling in vile conspiracy theories and said they felt ‘guilty’ and ‘terrible’ now they knew the true reason for Kate’s absence from public life.
But far more rushed to cover their tracks by deleting evidence of their previous posts. Others stayed silent, with critics piling on the likes of Kim Kardashian and demanding they apologise for mocking the princess.
Kim Kardashian shared this picture on Instagram six days ago with the caption: ‘On my way to find Kate’
Critical comments have begun piling up under the post, calling on the TV personality to apologise
Left wing activist and journalist Owen Jones is among those to have expressed regret for their comments on social media
Jones said he was ‘very ashamed’ for speculating about the Princess of Wales’s whereabouts
Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code who collaborated with Meghan Markle for a campaign to change the perception of mothers on TV, wrote on Instagram that she felt ‘disgusted’ with herself for joining in with speculation about Kate
Six days ago, Kardashian shared a photo of her getting into a car with the caption ‘On my way to go find Kate’.
Critical comments have now begun piling up under the post, with one follower writing ‘I think an apology is needed!’ and another telling her ‘you should probably take this down’.
Owen Jones was one of a series of high-profile figures to speculate about Kate’s whereabouts.
Reacting to a post on X that revealed photography agencies were pulling Kate’s Mother’s Day photo after it emerged the image had been edited, he wrote: ‘Oh wow. Ok I am now fully on board the Kate Middleton truther train.’
He then responded: ‘This is insane’ when evidence of the picture being adapted on Photoshop were shared by another X user.
Later, reacting to new agency AFP’s ‘kill notice’ announcement, he wrote: ‘I am so obsessed with this already omg!!’
Jones then aired his doubts about a photograph of Kate and Prince William in a car together that was shared the next day, commenting: ‘You have to be kidding me. That is not a public appearance. Choo choo! All aboard the Kate Middleton truther express!’
He tweeted last night: ‘As someone who speculated on this without considering it could be a serious health condition, I’m very ashamed to be honest, and all the very best to her.’
Blake Lively previously shared this obviously doctored image of herself to promote her drinks brand
The actress is among a small number of high-profile figures who have the decency to apologise for their remarks
Jones had previously revelled in conspiracy theories about Kate. He has now apologised
TikToker @mayathefruit was among those apologising to Kate after she revealed her cancer diagnosis
Influencers expressing their regret for sharing theories about the Princess of Wales
Social media has been awash with cruel conspiracy theories about Kate for weeks
Meanwhile, Blake Lively shared her regrets for an ill-advised jibe about photoshop before Kate’s diagnosis was revealed.
She had previously shared an obviously edited photo of herself alongside a post promoting her drinks brand.
The 36-year-old said last night: ‘I’m sure no one cares today but I feel like I have to acknowledge this. I made a silly post around the ‘photoshop fails’ frenzy, and oh man, that post has me mortified today. I’m sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.’
The pair were joined by many lesser known figures who said sorry for sharing jokes and memes about Kate.
Lawyer Kimberly Stone had previously described commenting on these conspiracy theories as ‘a fun time suck’ but said yesterday: ‘OK. Now I feel terrible. I pray for your recovery, Kate. I’m sorry I took joy in laughing about online conspiracy theories.’
A self-declared ‘novice royal watcher’ wrote: ‘I spent so much time down the Princess Kate rabbit hole and feel guilty af. It’s a good lesson to the slippery slope of conspiracy theories though… don’t do it!’
Others described feeling ‘mortified’ and ‘so bad’, while the owner of one popular account on X apologised for a ‘dumb video’ they made about Kate, adding: ‘That really did not age well and I’m sorry.’
Lawyer Kimberly Stone had previously described commenting on these conspiracy theories as ‘a fun time suck’ but said yesterday: ‘OK. Now I feel terrible’
Dozens of people took to X today and last night to apologise for their tweets about Kate
TV personality Dr Shola was previously among those sharing conspiracy theories about Kate but has now told her to ‘get well soon’
Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter praised US news anchor Chris Cuomo for his attack on social media conspiracy theorists
US news anchor Chris Cuomo blamed the conspiracy theorising on the public’s ‘addiction to negativity’ which he said was ‘as toxic as any disease’.
TV personality Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu had previously leapt on the conspiracy bandwagon by suggesting a video of Kate and William visiting a farm shop last weekend didn’t really show her.
She wrote at the time: ‘Wait….who the hell is that with Prince William? Are you all thinking what I’m thinking or do I need to go to Specsavers? #KateMiddleton.’
While she did not apologise for the claim today she did express her sympathy for Kate, tweeting: ‘Cancer is a b****. Get well soon.’
Many more did not have the decency to apologise for sharing cruel comments about Kate.
Among those was Christopher Bouzy, a cheerleader for the Sussexes who appeared on their Netflix documentary and last night went on an extraordinary rant against the palace, accusing them of ‘acting like North Korea’.
In a series of inflammatory tweets, he accused Prince William of ‘throwing his wife under the bus’ and said that the ‘palace lied’ in a North Korean-Trumpian manner.’
Just 30 minutes after the announcement, Mr Bouzy took to X to write: ‘I am sorry to hear Kate has cancer, and I hope she has a full recovery. But it is also clear that all three earlier photos of her were fake, and the palace tried to cover it up.’.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s supporter Christopher Bouzy has doubled down on a conspiracy theory about the Princess of Wales
Just 30 minutes after the announcement, Mr Bouzy took to X to write: ‘I am sorry to hear Kate has cancer, and I hope she has a full recovery. But it is also clear that all three earlier photos of her were fake, and the palace tried to cover it up’
Mr Bouzy, who had previously said the photos of Kate shopping in Windsor, driving with her mother and posing with her children on Mother’s Day, added that the theories surrounding The Princess of Wales’ disappearance ‘weren’t conspiracies’.
He wrote: ‘They were clearly not conspiracy theories. The palace and the British press created this mess by lying, not the people calling them out for their lies. Journalists are now openly stating that the person in the video wasn’t her based on what we just all watched.’
Others also suggested last night’s news had proved conspiracy theorists had been ‘right’ and suggested it was ‘gaslighting’ to now suggest they were all false.
Royal aides hope that last night’s statement will put to bed unpleasant rumours about Catherine’s health and whereabouts which has upset the family in recent weeks.
A source said it had been ‘an incredibly tough couple of months for the entire family’ and it had been important for the princess to come to terms with her diagnosis, to recover form her surgery and begin her pathway to recovery.
Throughout this period the couple’s children have been her priority.
It is understood that William and Kate wanted to tell their children at a time that was right for them and to allow them to understand and process the news before it became public.
With the children having broken up from Lambrook School today for the Easter holidays this afternoon, they decided that now was the right time to share the statement.
The Princess of Wales sits with her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for a photo released by Kensington Palace for Mother’s Day this month
The Princess of Wales holding the hand of her daughter Charlotte as she walks to Christmas Day service in Sandringham, Norfolk, alongside her sons George and Louis, her husband Prince William and Mia Tindall on December 25, last year
Sources say their concern recently, despite global and social media speculation, was to put Catherine’s health and their children first.
It is now hoped, aides said, the speculation around the princess comes to a stop.
Kate is apparently determined to go about her normal routine, which she sees as an important part of her recovery, and has asked for people to respect her privacy.
Commenting on last night’s development, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told Sky News: ‘I hope those social media trolls who are peddling such ghastly theories will realise what they have done.
‘Her absolute priority will be those three children.’
Dr Jay Verma, president of the GP Section at the Royal Society of Medicine, said: ‘This is a difficult enough process for anyone without having to contend with constant speculation and what has been some outrageous conspiracy theories on social media.’
Kensington Palace have said they understand the worldwide interested the princess’s announcement would generate but have stressed that they will only provide an update when there is something significant to say in order to allow her to continue her treatment in private.
spokesman said: ‘Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period.
‘Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and The Princess is able to restart work and her duties. In the meantime, we would ask that the family’s privacy is respected.’
The Mail understands that Prince William will carry out engagements when the children return to school after the Easter holidays.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen together last week as William went to the The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
A spokesman said: ‘The Prince will continue to balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since the start of the year.
A source emphasised that this has been a difficult period for the Wales family. William has been focused on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake engagements and work, and is extremely grateful for the support from the public.
The princess will remain out of the public eye for the time being.
Kensington Palace said: ‘The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.’
Catherine’s cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January.
At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They confirmed again last night that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer ‘had been present’.
Kensington Palace has asked people not to speculate on what cancer she has. However they say that she is in ‘good spirits and focused on her recovery’.