Why must the wives of Windsor always suffer?
Following the blockbuster allegation that at least three staffers at the London Clinic tried — and presumably failed — to hack into Kate Middleton’s medical records, it’s painfully clear just how poorly her illness and recovery have been managed.
Kate’s one big ask, after all this time: Some well-earned privacy, please.
Yet, thanks in large part to PR cock-ups at Kensington Palace, a catastrophic botch job has birthed global, multi-tentacled and invasive conspiracy theories ranging from the strength of the Waleses’ marriage to whether that really was Kate seen walking in this week’s proof-of-life video.
It’s unclear when this most personal of data breaches was attempted, but it nonetheless proves just how differently royal women are treated.
King Charles had his recent prostate operation at the same hospital, yet – as far as we’re aware – no one tried to break into his medical files.
Following the blockbuster allegation that at least three staffers at the London Clinic tried to hack into Kate Middleton ‘s medical records, it’s painfully clear just how poorly her illness and recovery have been managed.
It’s unclear when this most personal of data breaches was attempted, but it nonetheless proves just how differently royal women are treated. King Charles had his recent prostate operation at the same hospital, yet no one tried to break into his medical files.
Of course, Charles is a 70-year-old man. His illness doesn’t shock in the way that an otherwise healthy, 42-year-old woman’s has.
Still, Kate has never put a foot wrong. She has earned the goodwill and respect usually afforded to her. To be so violated – well, how much worse can it get?
What’s more, Kate’s crisis has become something of a laughingstock, especially in America.
When the likes of Kim Kardashian, Andy Cohen and Blake Lively are poking fun for clicks, the royals have truly veered perilously close to reality-TV culture, just another social media meme.
Will Prince William now finally get the memo? He has lost control of the narrative, the messaging, and has put his wife’s dignity in jeopardy.
How could Kate, still recuperating, have been seemingly allowed to take the fall for last week’s Photoshop fail? What is it in the House of Windsor that regards its women — those who marry in — as sacrificial lambs?
William should have taken that blow for his ailing wife. It was such a no-brainer.
Had he done so, he would have earned the respect and affection of women everywhere, who would have seen that for what it would have been: a selfless attempt to defend and protect his sick wife.
It’s hard to imagine that no one on Palace staff, no expert comms manager, suggested as much.
One would think, post-Diana, lessons had been learned. It seems not.
Diana, for all her savvy with the press, suffered greatly. Camilla endured brutal humiliations for years. Kate did too, savaged for seeming to wait around for William.
Such ritualistic mortifications have historically been regarded as a rite of passage, a hazing, a crucible that Windsor wives and wives-to-be must endure. The cost of doing business, if you will.
Build up that callus, grow a thick skin, show what kind of fortitude you have.
No wonder Cressida Bonas ran the other way. No wonder few aristocratic women are willing to subject themselves to this.
What Kate is experiencing now should serve as a wake-up call.
For here is the truth: William may be a prince of the blood and future king, but former commoner Kate vastly outshines him. Without her, the royal family is a somewhat sad affair populated by balding men of varying charisma.
Kate is the glittering star, the proverbial jewel in the crown. They would never survive her leaving.
One would think, post-Diana, lessons had been learned. It seems not. Diana, for all her savvy with the press, suffered greatly. Camilla endured brutal humiliations for years. Kate did too, savaged for seeming to wait around for William.
Such ritualistic mortifications have historically been regarded as a rite of passage, a hazing, a crucible that Windsor wives and wives-to-be must endure. The cost of doing business, if you will. Build up that callus, grow a thick skin, show what kind of fortitude you have.
What Kate is experiencing now should serve as a wake-up call. For here is the truth: William may be a prince of the blood and future king, but former commoner Kate vastly outshines him. Without her, the royal family is a somewhat sad affair populated by balding men of varying charisma. They would never survive her leaving.
Consider that Kate made what I read as an act of defiance last week: that photograph of her in the back of a car with William, her face turned away towards a brick wall.
That photo op was meant to show the world, post-Photoshop scandal, that all was well. It had quite the opposite effect.
I interpreted anger in Kate’s head-turn – anger at having to clean up a mess while still recuperating, a mess no rational person believes was her fault.
This was soon followed by an unprecedented set of quotes from Kate’s inner circle, telling the Daily Beast that the princess was suffering ‘intense stress’.
One told the site that Kate’s friends were furious that she was ‘harassed by the media over f***-ups made by other people’.
Sources similarly told the Mail that Kate was ‘very distressed by the fallout’.
Good for them.
Friends of Kate have also revealed their bafflement as to why that Photoshopped image showed Kate without her wedding and engagement rings. That was only ever guaranteed to get people talking.
How did no one on the Waleses’ team flag that? This is an institution that sends signals through the stitching on a collar — I’m exaggerating, but only slightly.
One doubts Kate will forget the events of these past few weeks anytime soon.
In America, the end of a presidential election results in the losing side conducting an ‘autopsy’, a post-game match report. If the monarchy is to never again endure a self-inflicted crisis such as this, Prince William would do well to order one.
And, in the future, to defend his wife — full stop.