The British royals have been urged to come up with a plan to manage press and public expectations about Princess Kate's health and return to duties if her absence continues beyond the summer and into the fall.
"They're going to have to come back from the August break with a plan for how to manage public opinion," Newsweek's chief royal correspondent, Jack Royston, told a British news show on Wednesday.
Kate has not appeared at an official public event since Christmas Day amid her ongoing health issues, first with recovery from an abdominal surgery and then undergoing preventative chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis.
Kensington Palace has maintained that no "running commentary" would be given about the princess' treatment and recovery, stating that she will return to her public duties only when her medical team has given her the green light to do so.
The last major update on Kate's health was given by the princess herself in her March 22 video statement announcing her cancer diagnosis. In the interim, Prince William has been asked about his wife's condition during public appearances. In May, he told well-wishers she was "doing well."
Now, as the monarchy heads into one of its busiest periods of the year without one of its star members, a British news show has heard that the institution needs to come up with a plan to keep public demand for information at bay if this continues into the fall.
Sky News anchor Kay Burley told Newsweek's Jack Royston that an information "vacuum" about Kate's health had started to rebuild, after a similar instance in February prior to the cancer announcement led to the spread of conspiracy theories and tabloid gossip.
"It's starting to emerge again but only at a low level, significantly lower than we were seeing in kind of late February and through March," Royston said, noting the need for preemptive action.
"I think they've got time. I think that they will survive until the autumn...the royals obviously go to Balmoral for the summer in August and they're going to have to come back from the August break with a plan for how to manage public opinion and how to manage the questions from the media as well."
The challenge, he explained, is that interest in Kate and her health extends beyond Britain. Polling for Newsweek conducted in May revealed that the princess is America's favorite royal, closely followed by Prince William.
"You have to remember that there's a big market in America and [this] can generate a huge audience on social media too so it's not enough just to have Britain under control," Royston noted.
Newsweek approached Kensington Palace via email for comment.
In Britain, the news cycle is dominated by the upcoming general election, which will take place on July 4, taking some pressure off Kate, but her likely absence from showpiece royal events in the coming weeks could refocus attention on her health due to a public desire for updates.
On June 15, the annual Trooping the Colour military parade and Buckingham Palace balcony appearance—usually a showcase for Kate's celebrated style—by the senior royals are set to go ahead.
June 17 will be Garter Day at Windsor Castle which Kate, as wife to Prince William who is a Knight of the Order of the Garter, has traditionally attended.
In addition to this, the State Opening of Parliament is to take place on July 17. Kate could have been expected to attend in her role as Princess of Wales.
Major sports events like the Royal Ascot horse racing festival and Wimbledon Tennis Championships would also traditionally see Kate in attendance.
If Kate chooses to attend any event, it is not expected that it will be announced far in advance. Nor would it be expected to signify a complete return to public duties.
At the time of her cancer announcement, Kate said she was looking forward to returning to her work, but that for the time being she needed to focus on her health.
"We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment," she said.
"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."
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan Markle and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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