Kate Middleton latest: Palace breaks silence on health rumours as her uncle says she has ‘best care in world’

The Palace has broken its silence over unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton’s health being shared on social media.

The Princess of Wales, 42, was seen for the first time in public two days ago after she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery in January for an unspecified condition. Gossip website TMZ snapped the princess in an Audi 4×4 near Windsor, alongside her mother Carole Middleton.

The exact details of the princess’s condition have not been revealed but the Palace said previously it was not cancer-related, and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

Every family has one: that relative with habits best described as “eccentric” and a history – personal, professional, legal – that can only be summed up as “complicated”.

The one who is referred to, in euphemistic terms, as “an acquired taste”. For most of us, though, this character remains the preserve of whispered conversations and the odd fraught festive dinner.

The Princess of Wales’ uncle said he hopes to show his “fun, caring and devilish” side on Celebrity Big Brother and not the “villain” he is portrayed as.

Gary Goldsmith, who is the younger brother of Kate Middleton’s mother, Carole, made his debut on the revived ITV reality series on Monday alongside a host of TV stars.

The businessman, commentator and podcast host said he was using the experience to give the public an insight into who he is.

“We all like to be liked; this is a great opportunity to show anyone who cares the ‘real me’, the fun, caring and devilish ‘me’, not the villain I’m often portrayed in the press,” the 58-year-old said.

“Also, as I fast approach 60, I want to say ‘yes’ to most things put in front of me.”

So far during his time on screen, he has shared his opinion on Harry and Meghan and shared updates on Kate’s health as she recovers from her abdominal surgery.

The King held a video call with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau as he carried out a flurry of behind-the-scenes duties.

The monarch, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, spoke with Mr Trudeau on Wednesday, as well as conducting two diplomatic audiences and writing a message of condolence to Tanzania over the death of the country’s former president.

Charles, who is continuing his head of state duties from behind palace walls, has postponed all public-facing engagements following his diagnosis.

He was pictured sat in front of a computer screen during the virtual audience with Mr Trudeau, in scenes reminiscent of his mother the late Queen, who adopted the mode of communication during the Covid-19 pandemic and in her later years.

It is the first time they have spoken since the King’s cancer diagnosis.

The pair are understood to have discussed current national and international matters, with personal well-wishes given by both the King and Mr Trudeau.

A folder of printed notes was open in front of the monarch on the wooden desk, with two red pens and a pad of notes ready for his use.

The Princess of Wales’ uncle, Gary Goldsmith, hit out at people who referred to his niece as “common” as he continues to shed light on the royal family during his stint on Celebrity Big Brother

The controversial character told housemate Fern Britton his father was a painter and decorator and his mother was an accounts clerk, but claimed he and his sister Carol were multimillionaires by the time they were 30.

He added: “So I get a bit narky when they say Kate is common, there’s nothing common about their family.”

The King has held a second day of audiences behind palace walls as he welcomes the High Commissioner of Jamaica.

The 75-year-old monarch, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, met Alexander Williams, who was joined by his wife Carol Watson-Williams, at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

Charles is currently King of Jamaica, but the country’s prime minister Andrew Holness is pushing ahead with plans to make the realm a republic.

The Jamaican government announced in February that it had begun the first step in the legislative process of constitutional reform, with the preparation of the Constitution of Jamaica (Amendment of Section 61) Bill.

The King has postponed all public-facing engagements while he continues his treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, but he has been carrying out audiences and desk duties behind Palace walls.

The palace has addressed Kate Middleton’s health rumours as concern continues to grow about the princess’ whereabouts.

Kate’s absence from the public eye, and Prince William performing fewer public duties in recent weeks, has sparked a series of unfounded conspiracy theories online that speculated on the royal’s health.

Referring to William, a royal spokesperson told People magazine: “His focus is on his work and not on social media.”

The Princess of Wales’s uncle Gary Goldsmith has said his niece is getting the “best care in the world” but he cannot talk more about her wellbeing due to a “code of etiquette”.

Wednesday’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother saw Goldsmith, who is the younger brother of Kate’s mother Carole Middleton, talk about the princess and the royal family to fellow housemates.

There has been huge speculation on social media about the state of Kate’s health after she underwent abdominal surgery earlier this year.

During Wednesday’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu asked Goldsmith: “Where’s Kate?”

Discussing the rumours surrounding his niece’s health, Goldsmith reassured fellow contestants revealing: “I spoke to her mum, she’s getting the best care in the world.”

“And all the family’s done is put the wagons round and look after family first before anything else. They put a statement out and just said, ‘She’s taking some time to (recuperate) and will see you in Easter’.”

When Ekin-Su then asked if Kate would be back, he responded: “She’s amazing, she will be back, of course she will.”