Shannen Doherty has criticized conspiracy theorists for running wild with ideas about Kate Middleton’s health before her cancer announcement.
“Being a public figure doesn’t mean the public owns that person,” began the “Beverly Hills, 90210” alum, who has stage 4 breast cancer and underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in 2023. Instagram statement she shared on Friday. “We all have the right to suffer illness or live privately.”
“The onslaught of conspiracy theories, possession, and simple, morbid curiosity forced this person to explain themselves before coming to terms with it and explaining it to their children,” she continued. “I pray this is a time of study for all of us to respect, privacy or otherwise, regardless of whether we are in the public eye.”
“And Princess Kate,” added Doherty, 52, “I like your strength because of the countless attacks you suffered while facing (sic) cancer.”
Conspiracy theories ran rampant following Middleton’s belly surgery in January and her lack of public presence thereafter, with some people even guessing that she was in a coma or dealing with infidelity on the part of Prince William.
But on Friday, the Princess of Wales, 42, shocked fans by announcing that she had begun chemotherapy treatments following surgery.
“In January I had major abdominal surgery in London and at the time it was thought my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful,” she explained in her video announcement.
“However, tests after the operation found that cancer was present. My medical team later suggested that I should have preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that.
remedy.”
She also thanked her followers for their messages of support and requested that she and her family be allowed to take care of her health privately.
“As I mentioned to them, I am doing well and getting stronger every day, specializing in the issues that
it will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirit,” Middleton noted.
She has not revealed what type of cancer she was diagnosed with.
Middleton – who shares children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, with William, 41 – received get-well messages following her announcement.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson told Page Six that King Charles III is “very happy with Catherine for her courage in speaking out as she did.” Charles, 75, revealed his own cancer prognosis in February following current surgery for an enlarged prostate.
Royalty’s unmissable extra protection:
The spokesperson also said that Charles and Queen Camilla “will continue to offer their love and support to the entire family at this difficult time.”
Middleton’s estranged brother and sister-in-law, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, also provided words of support, saying, “We need health and healing for Kate and her family, and we hope they can do this privately and in peace.”
Meanwhile, Blake Vigorous offered his most honest apology for previously mocking Middleton’s Photoshop scandal with an ad for his Betty Buzz and Betty Booze products.
“I’m sure no one cares at this point, but I feel like I have to acknowledge it,” the “Gossip Lady” alum, 36, wrote on her Instagram Story on Friday.
“I made a silly post in the midst of the ‘photoshop fails’ frenzy and oh man, that post has me mortified at this point,” she added before concluding, “I’m so sorry. Sending love and appropriate needs to everyone, all the time.”
