FACT CHECK: Facebook Post Falsely Implies Princess Kate Has Died
A post shared on Facebook implies Princess of Wales Kate Middleton has died.
Verdict: False
There is no evidence supporting the claim. On May 28, the New York Daily News reported Middleton had purportedly been seen in public amid her cancer treatment.
Fact Check:
Middleton has “turned a corner” with her cancer treatment and is “feeling a lot better,” according to Vanity Fair, which cited sources close to the Princess. Middleton has received “a round of preventive chemotherapy” as a result of her cancer diagnosis, the outlet reported.
The Facebook post, which has garnered over 1,000 comments as of writing, implies Middleton has died. “NEW UPDATE: PRINCE WILLIAM ANNOUNCES HEARTBREAK: ‘MY WIFE, IT’S OVER,'” the post’s caption reads. The post also features a photo of Middleton.
The claim is false, however. The comments section of the Facebook post links to a May 21 blog shared on the website “Positivity of Life,” which claims Prince William has not seen his wife, Middleton, much lately due to “health issues.” Although the post does not repeat the claim implying Middleton has died, it falsely states she does not have cancer. According to a May 10 article from Sky News, William said Middleton is “doing well” amid her battle with cancer during a visit to the Isles of Scilly. Middleton revealed she had cancer via a video message shared back in March, according to the same article.
Similarly, on May 28, the New York Daily News indicated Middleton “has reportedly been seen out and about with her family and running errands by herself.” One day earlier, on May 27, Newsweek reported Middleton offered a rare statement amid her cancer treatment reacting to the death of Squadron Leader Mark Long following a fatal plane crash. (RELATED: Video Claims To Show Vladimir Putin Traveling To Iranian President’s Funeral)
“Incredibly sad to hear of the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby. Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family,” the statement signed “William & Catherine” read, according to the outlet. The statement was shared via the Royal Couple’s verified X account.
Incredibly sad to hear of the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby. Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family. W & C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 25, 2024
In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim Middleton had died. Actually, the opposite is true. PolitiFact reported the claim was false via a May 28 article. Furthermore, the Royal Family has neither responded to the claim via its website nor its verified social media accounts.
Check Your Fact has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.