This Monday, September 9, Kate Middleton announced a shocking piece of news to her millions of followers. The Princess of Wales revealed that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment. She was diagnosed with cancer in March 2024. In an emotional video posted on social media, she appears surrounded by her husband, Prince William. Their three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, are also present. An intimate moment that touched many Britons, reassured to see the future queen in better health.
In the video, Kate writes: “As summer comes to an end, I can’t tell you how relieved I am to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.” The images show the united family, smiling, enjoying moments of closeness during their vacation at Anmer Hall. However, one detail remains mysterious. Kate Middleton has still not revealed the exact nature of her cancer. This secret has been carefully preserved since the diagnosis was announced in March.
Philippe Moreau Chevrolet, a communication expert, highlights in the columns of Gala that this silence is strategic. Kensington Palace has also stated that there will be no further communication on this subject, citing respect for medical confidentiality. This discretion has allowed the princess to maintain control over the information. She has thus avoided leaks in the media.
While the video has been widely praised, it has not failed to raise criticisms. Some see it as an excessive staging. In the Daily Mail, journalist Liz Jones denounced a carefully orchestrated choreography: “What started as a sincere message turned into an advertisement for a clothing brand.”
For his part, columnist Stephen Glover also laments the overly “perfect” aspect of the video. For him, the princely couple seems to want to control their image through social media, to the detriment of traditional media. A strategy that, according to him, could prove dangerous for the future of the British monarchy. He highlights the risk that the Waleses might cut themselves off from the press. This could isolate them further and make them appear disconnected from the people.
In his column, Glover worries about seeing William and Kate adopt a “sanitized” communication, creating a distance with the Britons. He points out the contrast between this image of an ideal family. In reality, the princess is going through a difficult period with her illness. By emphasizing the intimate nature of the shared scenes, he believes that the video masks the real issues. According to him, the presentation is too polished to reflect reality.
For several months, the princely couple has been facing constant pressure. They must adapt to the evolution of media and the era of social networks. However, some believe that this strategy brings them closer to celebrities than to members of royalty. Richard Eden, also from the Daily Mail, fears that this approach exposes them to incessant criticism and makes them lose their royal stature.
While many Britons welcomed this video with relief, others are more skeptical. This is particularly true in journalistic circles. The debate remains open on how the royal family should communicate in the Instagram era. They must find a balance between modernity and maintaining their dignity and historical distance from the public.
For now, Kate Middleton and Prince William seem to continue on this path. They seek to control their image while sharing some fragments of their private life. Time will tell if this method will be beneficial for them and for the monarchy as a whole.