It’s been a full five months since the Princess of Wales has graced the public eye.
The British media, typically relentless in their pursuit of royal news, seem hesitant to delve into the well-being of the future Queen at Kensington Palace.
However, with King Charles recently honoring his daughter-in-law with the Order of the Garter on St. George’s Day, the press finds itself scrambling for stories to fill the void left by her absence.
While this prestigious award is significant for commoners, it holds little weight for royals.
If the King had bestowed upon her the actual Order of the Garter, it would have been a clear indication of his esteem for Catherine.
Instead, it appears that Charles has been somewhat stingy with royal honors.
This has reportedly left the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh feeling snubbed, as they received no accolades at all.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Gloucester was named a Lady of the Order of the Garter, and Camilla received the Order of the British Empire.
On that same day, Prince William assumed the role of Great Master of the Order of the Bath.
Though insiders have remained tight-lipped about Catherine’s feelings regarding her recent recognition, the Daily Mail has published several articles exploring the close bond between her and King Charles.
They describe how the King regards Catherine as the daughter he never had, suggesting that their shared challenges have brought them closer together.
Before Catherine shared her health diagnosis with the public, she and Charles enjoyed a heartfelt dinner, discussing personal matters.
Reports also indicate that she played a pivotal role in mending the relationship between Charles and William.
Choosing to live in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor was, in part, a strategic move to ensure that Charles could spend more time with his grandchildren.
Yet, rumors from a few years back hinted at the Wallaces’ desire to be closer to the Queen, which supposedly influenced their move to Windsor.
Considering that Charles resides in Clarendon House rather than Windsor, these stories seem more like speculation than reality.
An insider has clarified that the Order of the Garter awarded to Catherine was also a gesture to celebrate the 13th anniversary of her marriage to William.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long since she joined the royal family on April 29, 2011, when the couple exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey.
However, royal journalists are cautious about predicting whether new photos of the couple will emerge.
In 2021, the couple marked their tenth wedding anniversary with romantic, albeit heavily retouched, photographs.
This year, however, there’s a sense that things might be different.
For one, it’s not an anniversary year, and given Catherine’s current health struggles, it’s doubtful she would be inclined to pose for pictures.
The initial signs of trouble began with the absence of a birthday photo for Catherine on January 9 and the unusual silence across royal social media platforms.
Now, the official narrative suggests that the Princess is undergoing treatment, which explains her complete withdrawal from public engagements.
Yet, this explanation has done little to quell public concern.
Rumors suggest that while the couple’s children are in school, they are being cared for by Catherine’s mother, Carole Middleton, who herself has also been notably absent from the spotlight.
Hints about potential titles for Catherine’s parents have yet to materialize, leaving many to wonder if they will ever be recognized as the Earl and Countess of Bucklebury.
Royal expert Daniela Elser has weighed in on the situation, asserting that the Middletons likely won’t receive titles.
The informal consensus is that they simply aren’t deemed important enough, especially when considering that Camilla’s relatives were never granted such honors.
Despite the potential for Catherine to bestow titles upon her family once she ascends the throne, it remains an unlikely scenario.
The most she could do for her parents would be to appoint them as ladies-in-waiting, similar to what Camilla did for her sister Annabelle.
But the timeline for such events remains uncertain, leaving everyone guessing about what the future holds for the Princess of Wales and her family.