The BBC is defending the protection of Kate Middleton’s cancer analysis, which some critics called “extreme and insensitive”.
“Our advocacy reflected the importance of this story and the outpouring of support for the princess from around the world,” the British media outlet argued in a statement on Friday, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“We describe to our audience what was known about Catherine’s situation, but we do not speculate on details that have not been made public.”
The executives behind the information group stated that while they “examined the extreme speculation that has occurred in recent weeks regarding the princess’s health,” they also reported their “request for privacy.”
“We always give careful consideration to the editorial decisions we make,” the BBC added, noting: “Our reporting has made clear that this will be a difficult time for the Princess and the rest of the Royal Household.”
The media outlet concluded, reinforcing: “We have always been aware of approaching our defense with sensitivity.” Page Six also contacted the BBC.
Before the British broadcaster’s statement, viewers were talking online about the network’s content.
“So Kate has cancer, I want the best for her and her family, as well as anyone who is sick. Why do we want end-to-end information protection? It’s like everyone at the BBC is rubbing their hands over this,” one person previously wrote on X on March 23.
Another added at the time: “Princess Kate has asked for privacy after being forced to disclose her cancer diagnosis. The BBC is providing wall-to-wall protection. Send reporters to Windsor, Kensington Palace and so on. This is very disrespectful to Kate and typical of the BBC.”
On March 22, Middleton. announced in a video – recorded by the BBC studios in Windsor Gardens – that she was secretly battling cancer.
The Princess of Wales, 42, shared at the time that she discovered her diagnosis after undergoing a series of tests following her stomach surgery in January.
She explained that she and her husband, Prince William, decided to share their health struggles with the public until their children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — had time to “get to know and process the Information.”
Middleton then concluded, “We hope you understand that as a family we need time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.
“My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to returning when I’m ready, but for now I have to focus on making a full recovery.”
Royalty’s unmissable extra protection:
Since the video’s release, the BBC – and several other media outlets – have revealed numerous stories about the princess and any updates regarding her health.
Some of the online coverage, at least, ranges from the outpouring of support the Princess of Wales has received to how Russian disinformation may be linked to conspiracies about her.
Writer Valentine Low previously commented on the “tension” Middleton felt when opening up about her points.
“It was very difficult to bear in the end, they wanted to say something,” the author of “Courtiers: Intrigue, Ambition, and the Power Players Behind the House of Windsor” told us in full last month.
“They probably thought they couldn’t go on without saying anything, you can’t keep doing that.”