I understand the fascination with the UK’s Royal Family, especially the young royals, Prince William and Catherine.

From the early days of their courtship to their wedding and raising three beautiful children, William and Catherine have been the darlings of the UK media.

Catherine, until now, could do no wrong, and as I’ve always said – she understood the assignment – marrying into the Royal family, especially marrying a King in waiting, is a lifetime commitment, and one can either bail out, or you stick it out, for better or for worse.

She has fulfilled her role with poise and grace, but unfortunately, the speculation over Princess Catherine’s health over the past few weeks have taken a turn for the unpleasant.

Rumours and conspiracy theories abounded, and aided by the viral nature of social media, it eventually spun out of control, going to the heart of her relationship with Prince William.

When she released an emotional video message on Friday, revealing she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer, it was a shock, but also a relief, because now, hopefully the conspiracy theories would die down.

It was also an indictment on some in the media for driving the social media rumour mill with ”click-bait” articles, all stemming from seemingly innocent editing mistakes on a Mother’s Day photograph.

By the time the photo in question was released, on 10 March, the world’s media were hungry for news about Catherine, who had all but disappeared from the public eye after undergoing stomach surgery in January.

A frenzy erupted after mainstream news media rejected the photograph, and even an apology by Catherine the following day, did nothing to quell social media’s lust for new salacious information. (I often ponder who these faceless keyboard warriors really are, and whose agenda they drive, or is it just for the sake of clicks and views?)

I understand the craving for news about Catherine, but is she not entitled to privacy about her health?

Yes, perhaps the palace should have given a more reassuring update after her stomach surgery, but she has three young children – is her priority not first and foremost to reassure them that she will be OK?

Regardless of her standing in society she is also a mother, a wife, a human, and deserves privacy. She should not have to plead for it.

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024