MIA! Why hasn't Kate Middleton been seen in public for 2 months?

This year has brought the British royal family an array of difficulties.

Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles was diagnosed with cancer and had undergone a procedure to treat an enlarged prostate last month.

After the Christmas and New Year holidays, Kate Middelton, who is often quite busy managing royal events, has been out of the public eye for almost two months.

Conspiracy theories ranging from the curious to the absurd have been fueled by this.

Here’s all we know about her whereabouts.

Endless speculations

Most people believe that the Princess of Wales was placed in an induced coma after experiencing difficulties from her "planned abdominal surgery" in January.

Journalist and host of a Spanish TV show, Concha Calleja, first stated that following the treatment, Kate was intubated and placed in a coma, according to NDTV.

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"The decision was to put her in an induced coma. They had to intubate her. It was about saving her life," Calleja said.

Although Calleja's statements were dismissed as rumours by Buckingham Palace aide, who also said that “the Princess of Wales continues to be doing well.”

Nevertheless, it hasn't had much of an impact on people who follow royals or post absurd things about them on social media. X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday was flooded with memes about the princess going "missing.”

After Prince William unexpectedly skipped a memorial service for his late godfather on Tuesday, concerns over Princess Kate's welfare erupted online, giving rise to a flurry of conspiracy theories.

Britain's Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton pose for the media at St. James's Palace in London, after they announced their engagement. File image/AP

Renowned author Rachel Hawkins, who is well-known for her observations on royal affairs, fueled the flames by emphasising how unusual Kate's circumstances are, as per Economic Times.

Other theories, such as those involving marital strife, have surfaced in the lack of proper health update.

Official explanation

The palace revealed on 17 January that the 42-year-old had had a planned abdominal surgery the day before. Before moving on to at-home recovery, she spent about two weeks in the hospital.

"Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery," the statement read, according to People magazine.

On 29 January, the princess returned to Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate, where the palace said she would largely keep recovering until at least the end of March.

Although Kate Middleton will resume her public duties following Easter next month, according to Kensington Palace, local media believe it might take her up to nine months to fully heal.

The Buckingham Palace is yet to disclose the nature of the surgery.

King Charles’ cancer diagnosis

In sharp contrast to King Charles, who is battling cancer, Kate has been hidden from public view since December.

Britain's King Charles. Reuters

The 75-year-old king disclosed his cancer diagnosis on 5 February, following surgery to treat an enlarged prostate last month.

The magazine said his public appearances have been limited to going to church with Queen Camilla, expressing statements while working behind the scenes, and even making an appearance in a video where he reads supportive letters.

Prince William resumes his royal duties

The Prince of Wales returned to royal duties after a few weeks of staying away from the spotlight during Princess Kate's hospitalisation and recovery at home.

He presided over an investiture ceremony on 7 February at Windsor Castle and then went to the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner.

While speaking at the event, according to People, he said, "I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all."

"It's fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather 'medical' focus. So I thought I'd come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!" he added.

Later, he has visited the British Red Cross headquarters, held another investiture ceremony, and attended BAFTAs.

Apologising for his wife’s absence at the British Awards, Prince William said, "I'm sorry Catherine's not here. She does love the BAFTAs." he said.

Although he returned to handle the royal duties, his last-minute absence at a scheduled appearance at Windsor Castle citing a "personal matter,” only intensified the conspiracy theories about his wife’s health circling online.

With inputs from agencies