The View hosts' 'regret' over bizarre Kate Middleton conspiracy theories
Kate had disappeared from the public eye for a few months
The hosts of The View previously issued heartfelt apologies to Kate Middleton for fuelling speculation about her absence from public life, just days before her emotional cancer diagnosis video was released.
During a March 2024 episode of the US show, co-hosts Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Sunny Hostin openly reflected on their participation in what became an international frenzy of “Where’s Kate?” conspiracy theories.
At the time, Kate had not been seen publicly since Christmas Day 2023. She had undergone abdominal surgery in January of 2024. For Mother’s Day in the UK in the March, Kensington Palace’s release of a poorly edited family photo only added fuel to the speculation of where Kate was.
But tone shifted dramatically in the wake of Kate’s March 22 video message shared to social media. In the video, the Princess of Wales revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
The View hosts apologise to Kate Middleton after conspiracy theories
“I’m guilty of having gotten into the fun of ‘where’s Kate?’ and thinking it’s funny and sharing the memes and playing into that,” Alyssa Farah Griffin admitted, as reported by the LA Times. “I forgot something fundamental that we all know. Every person… is dealing with personal struggles that we don’t know about.”
Alyssa added that while she believed the palace had mishandled the public relations around Kate’s health, “the public mishandled it” too, herself included.
Sara Haines echoed the regret. “You just never know what someone’s going through,” she said.
She acknowledged that the altered family photo heightened her curiosity. However, her concern led her to cross a line.
Meanwhile, Ana Navarro said the incident was a learning moment.
“The lesson I learned was when Whoopi Goldberg tells me to mind my own damn business, I will mind my own damn business from now on,” she said bluntly.
You just never know what someone’s going through.
Sunny Hostin also confessed that she was “deeply remorseful” about being “dragged down the rabbit hole”.
Moderator Whoopi Goldberg, who had cautioned the panel against jumping to conclusions, highlighted how fast speculation can spiral out of control and the potential harm it can cause.
“What we say here doesn’t stay here,” she said. “It goes across the pond. It goes on the internet. I don’t want people to misunderstand you all. I don’t want them thinking you’re making fun of somebody because they’re ill. That was never the intention.”
Princess of Wales’ cancer battle
The discussion and the apologies came shortly after Kate’s deeply personal March 2024 video announcement. In the video, the princess explained she had been privately recovering from abdominal surgery and undergoing chemotherapy.
In the days that followed her announcement, several public figures also apologised for their role in amplifying speculation.
Actress Blake Lively admitted on Instagram that she was “mortified” by a marketing post she made referencing the “Photoshop fails” surrounding Kate.
“I made a silly post,” she wrote. “Oh, man, that post has me mortified today. I’m sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.”
Kate’s diagnosis marked the start of a long road. After revealing in September 2024 that she had completed her chemotherapy, the Princess of Wales later shared in January 2025 that she was officially in remission.
In a personal statement, she said: “It is a relief to now be in remission. I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.”
Since then, Kate has gradually resumed public duties, including attending the Royal Variety Performance, Trooping the Colour, and VE Day celebrations in 2025.
Royal author Robert Jobson recently told HELLO! that 2025 was a year of “survival and recovery” for the princess, and 2026 would be about being “selective”.
“She won’t go back to the old pace,” he said. “It will be meaningful, with gaps in between for her family. Running on empty isn’t an option. The days of just powering through are done.”
Read more: Kate Middleton to host very special reception at Windsor Castle for England women’s rugby squad
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