Stephen Colbert appeared contrite on “The Late Show” after fueling conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton before the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis.
“There’s a standard I try to follow, and that’s not to belittle anyone’s tragedy,” Colbert, 59, said on Monday’s episode.
“Many people know that any type of cancer diagnosis is distressing for the person affected and their family,” he continued. “While I’m sure they don’t want this from me, I and everyone here at ‘The Late Present’ wish to extend our best wishes and sincere hope that his restoration is speedy and complete.”
Although Colbert expressed regret, some viewers pointed out on X that he was unapologetic in his comments.
“no apology needed from Stephen Colbert to Kate Middleton,” one person wrote.
“Could Stephen Colbert be any more (sic) an idiot??? This is misleading rambling, NOT an apology of any kind,” another got angry.
Others defended the host, with a fan pointing out, “Stephen Colbert handled it very well. And I’m glad he didn’t apologize for his jokes. Because he doesn’t need it. Joking about public figures and what’s happening in the news is part of being a late-night host.
Before Middleton’s analysis was confirmed, the Internet had a day of speculating about why the princess hadn’t been seen in public for weeks — despite the palace saying in January that she had undergone stomach surgery and would not be returning. royal duties until “after Easter”.
Then the release of a carefully edited photo of the mother of three on Mother’s Day in the UK sparked even more jokes about Middleton’s exact whereabouts from comedians around the world – like Colbert.
“The government was agitated by the apparent disappearance of Kate Middleton. Well now, internet sleuths are guessing that Kate’s absence may also be related to her husband and future King of England William having an affair,” the late-night host said on his show earlier this month.
He then choked up and added sarcastically: “Oh no, my heart goes out to poor Kate.”
Colbert was referring to a nearly five-year-old rumor that began in 2019 that claimed Prince William had an affair with British noblewoman Rose Hanbury when Middleton was pregnant with Prince Louis.
The comedian also joked about his show: “According to tabloids at the time, when Kate allegedly confronted him about it, he laughed it off saying there was nothing to it.
“Always respond when your spouse accuses you of dishonesty. ‘Ha ha, think of me having an affair! It’s for laughs.
William, 41, denied cheating on his wife, 42, stating through his lawyers in 2019: “In addition to being false and extremely harmful, the publication of false hypotheses regarding our clients’ personal lives also constitutes a violation of their privacy. ”
Hanbury, 40, also slammed the “completely false” rumor after it recently resurfaced, and reportedly sent Colbert legal discovery as a result of his comments.
“The rumor appears to have entered the mainstream media recently because of another joke made about it on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’” said lawyers for the wife of David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, in contact on Thursday.
“We have written on behalf of our consumer to CBS and several respected media organizations to prove the claim is false.”
In addition to Colbert, however, the internet is also furious with other public figures for speculating about Middleton and the royals during this difficult time.
Andy Cohen has also been criticized for trolling the latest sighting of the princess at a farm stand and also fueling rumors that William was dishonest by claiming this week that the Prince of Wales is “his father’s son”, referring to to how King Charles III was fake. for William’s mother, Princess Diana, with Queen Camilla.
Royalty’s unmissable extra protection:
Kim Kardashian, for her part, was also criticized for joking on Instagram that she was “in her choice to find out” that Middleton and Colbert’s friend John Oliver were known for joking that the princess might have died.
One person wrote on X: “Remember the despicable Kim Kardashian, Blake Energetic, John Oliver, Andy Cohen, Stephen Colbert who mocked cancer-stricken Kate Middleton. Keep in mind that these identify themselves in misfortune”
Another critic chimed in: “Screw Stephen Colbert… The poor girl has cancer and these vile human beings for suggesting disgusting things. Kate will always be stylish and they will always be trash.”
Middleton, for her part, said in her announcement video on Friday that it took her a while to further deal with her absence because she and William wanted to “clear everything” to Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Louis . , 5, “in a way that is applicable to them.”
She then praised those who have shown “love, support and kindness” and added: “We hope you understand that as a family we need time, home and privacy while I complete my treatment.”
