After weeks of mounting panic, spread on social media sites like wildfire, the royal-watching landscape has shifted again with thoughts turning from “where is Kate?” mania to her gradual return to public life.
“Finally,” said one source, “everyone can calm down.”
It is an optimistic view in a world which now demands photographs and video as proof of life and even then, post Mothering Sunday, has some valid reason to doubt them.
The lack of a new printed photograph of the Princess’s outing has fuelled further questions. A deliberate vagueness about her children’s sports matches has not been ascribed to protecting her privacy, as it might have been in a more understanding era, but added to the apparent list of suspicion.
But the message the palace so desperately needs to get across is at least, said one observer, “getting somewhere”.
The entire episode underlines the everlasting truth for the Royal family: nothing can beat the late Queen’s approach of “I have to be seen to be believed”.
While the Princess has been behind closed doors, the royal machinery around her has been all the public can rely upon for updates. And the palace has not been minded to update, sticking to its mantra “no running commentary” about the Princess’s health.
Even their most sympathetic friends have accepted that the narrative has spun out of control. Those who are minded to criticise them have been incredulous at the turn it has taken.
“What is going on?” has been the constant refrain over the last week or so, as a photo editing row unfolded.
Two paparazzi shots of the Princess have done nothing to quell the chatter, and Prince William’s public engagements, understandably, have contained nothing of insight about his wife’s recovery.
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