Kate Middleton Pal Says Photo Agency Furor Over Manipulated Photo is ‘Hypocritical’: Report

Another source explains that the couple is also surprised by the ongoing curiosity regarding Middleton’s whereabouts. As Kensington Palace announced in January that Middleton would be convalescing out of the public eye until Easter, “they had confidence that people would give them the space they asked for.”

As folks who have been following this story know, the public largely gave that space until late February, when William abruptly pulled out of a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece, citing a “personal matter.” That lack of specificity sparked concerns over Middleton’s health, not an unreasonable reaction.

The Times spoke with a friend “who knows why William canceled” but who, frustratingly, does not share that information. They do say, however, that “He had no choice but to pull out, but the reaction was disappointing.”

If the couple does eventually explain what happened with the memorial—or offers context on other events—that explanation probably won’t be given to the media. (At least, not directly.) 

“They are at their most open when out interacting with members of the public,” a so-called “royal source” told the Times. “I can see a world in which the princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements. If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it.”

“They will want to be clear and more open, but they’ll do it when they feel ready,” another friend says. “I would expect that to be her instinct and it will be her call. They’re not going to be rushed.”

Another friend makes a fair point, especially if one truly believes the Firm’s line on the manipulated image. “In Kate’s case, there is almost nobody else in the world whose face, body, clothes are more judged than hers,” they say. 

“So it’s entirely right for them not to want to be drawn into a game about what is going on with her health. What is happening is exactly what they said would happen—she would spend two weeks in hospital and be back after Easter. So what if they haven’t pushed her out there to wave from the back of a car? She is not a show pony.”