8 times Kate Middleton defiantly shut down divorce rumours with Prince William
Kate and William married in 2011Prince William and Kate Middleton have been battling cruel divorce rumours ever since she underwent abdominal surgery last year.
The royal took a break from her duties to undergo the planned procedure, but her absence thereafter stirred up vile speculation on her whereabouts and relationship with the Prince of Wales.
On March 22, 2024, the mum-of-three revealed to the world she had cancer. Although this helped to dispel most of the rumours at the time, Prince William and Kate Middleton have been silently squashing reports divorce is on the cards ever since.
Prince William and Kate Middleton divorce rumours erupted over her absence
Due to the 43-year-old taking time out for her health early last year, fans grew concerned over her absence.
Royal commentators came out to suggest the growing pressure from social media shaped Kate’s decision to reveal she had been diagnosed with a form of cancer. In March last year, the Princess of Wales released an emotional video where she detailed how she and William had been navigating how to decide to tell their children about her health news.
In September 2024, she announced she had completed chemotherapy and four months later told the world she was in remission.
Now, Kate is back in the royal diary with a spring in her step.
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Wedding anniversary
For their special date in 2024 they shared a throwback black and white photo from their wedding.
They celebrated 13 years of marriage and took to Instagram to mark the occasion.
Taken by royal portrait photographer Millie Pilkington, Kate is holding her lily of the valley bouquet as William is stood behind her, with his hand on her waist.
Kate Middleton’s first public appearance stopped divorce rumours in their tracks
At her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, Kate and William couldn’t keep their eyes off each other! It was her first sighting at an official event in six months for The Firm.
Standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony, the pair locked eyes and had big smiles on their faces.
Kate was hailed for her bravery at the event, although experts said it would have taken it’s ‘toll on her’ as she underwent chemotherapy.
Family video
Their PDA in a video they released to tell fans she had completed chemotherapy was hailed by followers.
In the clip, which showed a montage of William and Kate and their three young ones, Kate said she was focusing on staying ‘cancer free’.
We saw a glimpse into the private life of the Wales’, including sneak peeks inside their home in Norfolk.
Fans see the couple holding hands, embracing and even sharing a peck on the cheek multiple times in the video. In one moment, they lay together in sand dunes with Kate’s arm around William, and in another sit on a log looking out at nature.
The three-minute film was a rare occurrence for Kate Middleton and Prince William who don’t often take part in PDA as they lead private lives away from The Firm.
Catherine Princess of Wales returns to public duties for the ceremonial welcome for the state visit of Qatar at Horseguards Parade #Qatar #StateVisit #royal #CatherinePrincessOfWales pic.twitter.com/QJkdeXj4vs
— Rookie (@royalfocus1) December 3, 2024
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s PDA went unnoticed
Early in December 2024, William made another sweet gesture towards his wife at a major state visit.
The Princess of Wales joined King Charles and her husband to welcome the Amir of Qatar and his wife.
But the subtle interaction that went unnoticed was when the dad-of-three placed his hand on Kate’s shoulder.
Royal editor Rebecca English noted: “William just once discreetly laying a comforting hand on her shoulder but otherwise happily letting his wife get on with what she does best—shine.”
Christmas Carol Service
During Kate’s big moment at her annual Christmas Carol service, William opted for a sweet but subtle moment of PDA to support his wife.
43-year-old Kate stepped out ahead of other members of The Firm to greet guests and performers. It was when the Prince of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte, that fans caught the interaction.
Beaming from ear to ear, he greeted his wife with a cheerful ‘Hi’, and tenderly touched her arm.
Thank you, Pontypridd! 👋🏴
Diolch, Pontypridd! 👋🏴 pic.twitter.com/0eAEePs48w
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 26, 2025
Wales visit
In February 2025, Kate Middleton and Prince William were feeling the love during their day out, pushing out any cruel idea a divorce was on the cards.
While visiting Pontypridd in South Wales ahead of St David’s Day, it was their first joint venture after more than a year.
When heading home by train, a clip shows the sweet interaction between the pair, as they held hands while walking through the station.
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Rare Valentine’s Day post squashes Kate Middleton and Prince William divorce rumours
The duo proved they are just as loved-up as other couples on the special day, by marking the occasion with a rare post.
The photo saw the couple holding hands as 42-year-old William kisses Kate on the cheek as she laughs.
The romantic scene behind them featured a wooded area, and a brown picnic blanket.
It was a reshare of the first photo released by the pair after she completed chemotherapy, in September 2024.
The Wales’ captioned the post with a single red love heart emoji.
Relaxed Kate Middleton on Commonwealth Day
In March, in Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day, Kate Middleton and Prince William were all smiles and looking into each other’s eyes – if that doesn’t spoil divorce speculation, nothing will!
It would have held a special meaning to the couple, as it was the backdrop to their royal wedding in 2011. It’s also the venue where the Princess holds her ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol concert each December.
Kate Middleton’s health journey and updates
January 17 2024 - Kate Middleton announces surgery
Kensington Palace releases a statement that details the Princess of Wales is undergoing planned abdominal surgery at the London Clinic. The palace explains Prince William has temporarily stepped back from royal engagements to care for his wife and their three children.
January 29 2024 - Kate is discharged from hospital
The princess leaves hospital and returns home to Windsor to recover. King Charles had visited Kate a few days before ahead of undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital himself. King Charles leaves the London Clinic on the same day.
February 29 2024 - Kensington Palace addresses social media speculation
Social media concerns for the princess escalate, after she was last seen publicly on Christmas Day morning with the royal family. Kensington Palace release a statement detailing: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter."
March 10 2024 - Mother's Day photo
Kate Middleton releases a photo with her children to mark Mother's Day. She thanked fans for their 'continued support'. However, hours later, the picture is marked as suspicious by photo agencies over concerns it had been doctored. The following day she publicly apologises for the "confusion" over the Photoshopped photograph. She admitted she occasionally edits pictures as a keen photographer.
March 19 2024 - Farm shop outing
A video of Prince William and Kate Middleton leaving the Windsor Farm Shop goes viral. It is the first video sighting of the Princess since her surgery.
March 22 2024 - Cancer diagnosis
Kate confirms she has been diagnosed with a form of cancer in a moving video message.
She explains she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment and she and William wanted to take time to decide how to tell their children.
June 14 2024 - 'Good progress'
A few months later she tells fans she is making "good progress" and that treatment will continue for a few more months. Before this, William had told well-wishes the Princess was 'doing well' during a visit to the Isles of Scilly in May.
June 15 2025 - Trooping the Colour
Kate makes her first public appearance at the Trooping the Colour. It was her first outing since Christmas Day the year before. The following month, she also appears again, watching the Men's final at Wimbledon alongside her daughter Princess Charlotte and sister Pippa Matthews.
September 2024 - Completed chemotherapy
Princess Kate releases a moving video message where she tells the world she has completed chemotherapy.
The following month, she joins Prince William on a visit to bereaved families in Southport, and in November attends the Festival of Remembrance for November 11.
January 14 2025 - Remission
The 43-year-old confirms she is now in remission after visiting The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she received treatment.
Body language expert Judi James examined the interactions between the pair, who have been married for almost 14 years.
She said: “When they did connect as they do here, sitting together, William’s body-scrunched pose and his very youthful smile with eye crinkling and a peek of the front teeth through his lips in response to Kate’s lean and playful smile suggests a bit of a bashful crush is still going on in their relationship.”
Judi explained to The Mirror that the Prince felt “ongoing pride” over Kate.
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