Royal insiders fear Kate Middleton’s Photoshop scandal is affecting her recovery from stomach surgery that has sidelined her from royal duties – and made her well-being the main focus of intense speculation.
The Princess of Wales appeared tense as she sat next to Prince William on Monday, looking out the window, drawing comparisons in royal circles to images of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Kate, 42, has been dogged by rumors about the truth about her health since her last surgery for a mystery case in January.
But they were thrilled after she and Prince William posted a family photo on Instagram on Sunday to celebrate British Mother’s Day, which turned out to be botched in Photoshop.
Kate took the blame on Monday, apologizing and saying she had completed the enhancement herself.
A well-placed royal source told Page Six: “It’s terrible to be under all this public scrutiny when you’re recovering from major surgery.
“The rumor mill – particularly on social media – has gotten out of control, but Kate is recovering well and will be back by Easter.
“She should simply be left alone.”
Another palace source reflected: “I fear all this concern about Catarina. She didn’t look happy in the car on Monday.”
The source added that it reminded them of images of Diana looking upset as she sat next to her ex-husband King Charles at the height of their marriage crisis.
A famous photo showed the couple sitting together on an official visit to Seoul, South Korea, in November 1992. The tension was written on their faces.
They announced their official breakup a month later.
Kensington Palace said Kate would be expected back into public life at Easter after undergoing her planned surgery and continues to insist on this as it tries to quell the rumours.
She was photographed last week near her home in Windsor with her mother Carole Middleton behind the wheel, and again on Monday with her husband on the way to London.
But while William, 41, was heading to the annual Commonwealth Service, Page Six was told Kate was heading to a “private engagement”.
International public relations and advertising expert Mark Borkowski said his entire case showed how the royal family fares when Kate, the “office” attraction, is without pay.
“It focuses on William’s choices about what he calls the images and how they deal with the press… it reveals a total lack of commitment to the media.”
Meanwhile, Kate missed another family event on Tuesday when William joined mourners at the funeral of Thomas Kingston, husband of her cousin Lady Gabriella Windsor.
The body of the financier, who was found dead last month at the age of 45, was carried in a procession that began at Kensington Palace, his widow’s family home, and ended at the Ambassador’s Court, St James’s Palace.
A private family funeral was then held in the Chapel Royal. And while William was present, Kate remained at home.
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