After weeks of much secrecy and speculation, Kate Middleton reappeared this Friday for the first time officially after the abdominal surgery she underwent in mid-January. In a video shared by Kensington Palace on social networks, the Princess of Wales announced that she suffers from cancer. This news has generated a real stir in the media worldwide, as well as great regret among those who have been making theories in a joking tone about the whereabouts of the ‘royal’. One of them has been the actress Blake Lively.
The Princess of Wales, 42, said in the video that she is on an early “path to recovery” after beginning chemotherapy treatment at the end of February. Middleton revealed that the news had been a “huge shock” and that she and Prince William “have been doing everything they can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.” Kate’s cancer was discovered during post-operative tests after she underwent “major abdominal surgery” at The London Clinic on January 17.
In recent weeks, the secrecy regarding Kate’s whereabouts has generated a lot of rumors about what could really be going on. These speculations increased since the official profile of the princes of Wales shared an image of Kate in which the abuse of editing programs could be detected. That is why social networks were filled with theories about what could really happen: from a significant complication in her health, to a possible divorce process. Many others joked that the ‘royal’ could have cut her bangs or that a possible cosmetic surgery on her would have left her with a very different face.
Precisely, the actress and model Blake Lively made a comment about Kate for which she has now had to apologize. The actress, 36, was criticized by her fans after referring to the controversy over the photo editing of the family photo of the Princess of Wales and her children published on Mother’s Day in the Kingdom United. “I’m so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new products @bettybuzz and @bettybooze! Now you know why I’ve been missing,” Lively said then.
After Middleton’s illness announcement this Friday, the Gossip Girl actress reappeared on Instagram to apologize and acknowledge that her comment was out of line. “I’m sure no one cares today, but I feel like I have to admit it,” she said. “I made a silly post about the ‘Photoshop fail’ frenzy and that post has me mortified today,” she said.
Some fans had told Blake she should be “ashamed of herself” and accused her of hypocrisy when she kept her children’s names and genders a secret while “mocking” Kate for wanting privacy. Now, Lively’s original post has been removed from social media. “I’m sorry. Sending love and good wishes to everyone, always,” she said.
Blake was among several celebrities who made jokes about Kate’s public disappearance. Other well-known figures include Kim Kardashian, Andy Cohen and John Oliver, who downplayed concerns about the royal’s health. None of them have commented on the matter yet, but there are many followers who ask them to rectify the attitude shown previously and the princess’s recent cancer announcement.
