5 Times Kate Middleton Was Shamed Amid Her Health Struggles — And Did Not Deserve It

Contrary to popular public opinion, it's not easy being a princess, especially when you're the Princess of Wales, navigating serious health issues — namely, a cancer diagnosis. From the moment Kensington Palace announced on January 17, 2024, that Kate Middleton had undergone "a planned abdominal surgery," she has been subjected to a ridiculous amount of intense speculation and scrutiny, sometimes even being downright shamed for the way in which she handled all of it. And sadly, all of that only intensified when she revealed via her Instagram account in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was  undergoing "a course of preventative chemotherapy." Many immediately pounced on Kate's decision to keep her personal health information private — though she even explained at the time that the decision was made in part to protect their three young children. "It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok," she divulged.

Alas, even the way Kate has handled her post-cancer journey has become tabloid and internet fodder. Absolutely nothing appears to be off-limits, from her weight to conspiracy theories about her hair, her choice to abstain from alcohol, and even the amount of time she took off from royal duties — and she does not deserve any of it.

When Kate Middleton first revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, she made it abundantly clear that she was taking a step back from her royal duties to allow herself to rest and recuperate physically, mentally, and emotionally. "My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery," she explained in the video message. And in June 2024, in the midst of her chemotherapy treatments, she carefully noted in an official Instagram post that while she was "making good progress," there were still "good days and bad days." She added, "On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home." She also explained that she planned to attend The King's Birthday Parade that coming weekend. Sadly, however, it still wasn't too long before many accused her of shirking her royal responsibilities amid her CANCER DIAGNOSIS. (Read that again so you can understand just how crazy that sounds.) 

In August 2025, columnist Liz Jones publicly penned an op-ed for the Daily Mail wherein she berated Kate for her lack of royal engagements — even tallying the princess' nine engagements up against her husband, Prince William's, 71; her father-in-law, King Charles', 233; and even the late Queen Elizabeth's 201 at the ripe old age of 96. Fortunately, many in the comments section had the princess' back. "What sort of rotten individual writes a piece like this," one user penned. Meanwhile, another wrote, "As a fellow cancer patient I feel for Catherine. Cancer sucks the energy right out of you. Give her a break!"

Sadly, not even Kate Middleton's signature dark locks were off limits. Throughout her entire cancer journey, many accused the Princess of Wales of faking cancer simply because her hair didn't fall out. "No hair loss? How did she escape that?" one user asked in the comments section of an update Middleton penned on Instagram in June 2024, along with a photo of her standing underneath a tree with her long dark hair on full display. Meanwhile, another had words about her mane while she attended Wimbledon in July 2024. "Don't be that naïve!!! No one's hair grows all back in that thick and long after 7 months of chemo and her "wig matched her completely?? Don't buy it," the user wrote (via Instagram).

It wasn't until much later that Middleton herself shed a little light on why her hair wasn't affected by her chemotherapy treatments. During a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in January 2025, one cancer patient who spoke with Middleton said that the princess did not have to use a cold cap during her treatments. "She just said that she didn't have to have it," the patient told People. "For her to lose her hair, which is so iconic, would have been awful. Everyone loves her hair!" 

Speaking of Kate Middleton's thick, long mane, the public also seriously piled on when she stepped out in 2025, sporting a new shade of hair much lighter than her signature brunette locks. Later, while attending the Royal Variety Performance, the Daily Mail reported that after actress Su Pollard complimented Kate on her lighter hue, Kate told Pollard that her new look was simply a byproduct of Mother Nature. "It used to be brown, but it's gone light in the sunshine," the princess was quoted as saying. 

Sadly, the internet trolls weren't nearly as kind as Pollard. "The blonde/bronde makes her look older. Doesn't suit her," one X user tweeted. Meanwhile, others speculated Middleton's new hair was a wig. "that's a wig, bro," another X user quipped.

Eventually, however, the snark became so much that psychologist Carolyn Mair weighed in on the matter during an appearance on Fox News, reminding everyone that the woman did just walk through a gnarly cancer diagnosis. She may be reclaiming agency and visibility, and leaving her illness behind," Mair opined.

In July 2024, Kate Middleton appeared to be on cloud nine as she attended her first Wimbledon tournament since her cancer diagnosis. "Great to be back at @Wimbledon!There's nothing quite like The Championships," she gushed on the Prince and Princess of Wales official Instagram account, including a carousel of photos of herself attending the tournament in a form-fitting dress. 

Sadly, however, some onlookers took to the comments section to criticize Kate's slender frame. "She has lost too much weight," one Instagram user wrote. Meanwhile, another quipped, "Oh she needs a home cooked meal." Given that Kate has been through cancer and chemotherapy, it should come as no surprise that Kate's daily diet has probably changed, and perhaps even her tastes for certain foods. Suffice it to say, if you really care about Kate's health, you'll stop talking about her weight altogether. Enough is enough, already.

In March 2026, Kate Middleton's alcohol reveal spurred yet another public fight over her health. It all started when the Prince and Princess of Wales were visiting a brewery as part of a royal engagement. When asked whether she drank beer, Middleton casually mentioned that she was choosing to abstain from alcohol in light of her cancer diagnosis. "Since my diagnosis, I haven't had much alcohol. It's something I have to be a lot more conscious of now," she explained (via YouTube). No harm, no foul, right? WRONG. 

Like clockwork, people immediately started piling on, explaining all the reasons why the princess was wrong for publicly uttering such a confession. Top of mind, however, was how her comments might affect the brewery she was visiting. "Why'd she even go to the brewhall? To tell the world they are selling a carcinogenic product? Or why not accept the glass and just drink a little?" one Reddit user penned in a thread. Meanwhile, another quipped in the comments section, "I think she just wanted to bring up her cancer again in an attempt to distract and bring attention back to her."