Mark Roche. “Regarding Kate’s hospitalization, transparency is not complete”

Thunderstorm in London. Kate Middleton’s admission to a London clinic was announced on Wednesdayabdominal surgery” caused a media tsunami around the world. In the United Kingdom, the action of the Princess of Wales is even seen as “shock“. Especially on the same day, the Buckingham Palace announced that next week, King Charles III will be hospitalized due to hypertrophy.benign» prostate. It’s an unprecedented double event, says Mark Roche, who has been covering Windsor news for more than twenty years.

Column author “Letter to Buckingham“For the sake of PointThis monarchy expert has written many works about the Windsors, including The Borgias at Buckingham (1). From London he shares Madame Figaro his analysis of the situation affecting the English.

Madame Figaro .- On Wednesday, the announcement about Kate Middleton’s hospitalization surprised the whole world. How did the British respond?
Mark Roche: They were deeply astonished by the duplicity of this statement. Kate’s admission to the London clinic came as a shock because she is a well-loved public figure who has behaved impeccably since joining the Windsors, who are the future queen and wife of England’s next king, and who have provided heirs first and foremost. three children, George, Charlotte and Louis. At the same time, an hour apart, Buckingham Palace announced the king’s hospitalization, which in turn raises issues of sovereignty, namely who will manage the functions of the monarch during his absence.

In the past, the health of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip was a taboo subject

Mark Roche

Why such a whirlwind of emotions about the Princess of Wales, when Kensington Palace wanted to reassure her health and confirmed to the press that it was not cancer?
This deep public feeling can be explained by the fact that Kate Middleton is young, and that we did not expect this, because she seemed quite healthy. She is an athletic woman, a non-smoker, with a slim figure, even thin. Therefore, the announcement of his admission to the London clinic was a shock, not only because he was thought to be in perfect condition, but also because of the length of hospitalization (10 to 14 days) and recovery (about 3 months). ) As for the palace’s reassuring press releases about the health of members of the royal family, they are always met with suspicion, as the health of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has previously remained a taboo subject. It should be remembered, for example, that even in the last moments of the Queen’s life, Buckingham wanted to be reassuring, while taking care not to reveal too many details about her true condition.

But this time, more information about the health of Kate and Charles has been revealed…
Yes, and this is part of the new healthcare transparency policy. In the case of Charles III, this is because the king intends to encourage his male subjects to get screened for prostate problems. As for Kate, on the other hand, we don’t know what’s wrong with her. Out of modesty and privacy, of course, but also because, ultimately, its absence doesn’t have much institutional impact.

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Is there not the ghost of another Princess of Wales behind these upheavals? Lady Diana died at the age of 36.
No, because the situations are not comparable. Diana Spencer died after a car accident. At the time of his death, he was no longer a member of the royal family, had lost the title of Royal Highness and was an exile. While Kate is the Princess of Wales, she is still a prominent member of the Windsor clan. That being said, the feelings for Kate are real. But it should also be kept in mind that the death of Elizabeth II happened only one year ago. Since then, Charles, the new king, has left his mark. William, as Prince and Crown Prince of Wales, supports his father very well, and he also understands his role. And since the bombs, Harry and Andrew, were defused, there was a certain calm within the British monarchy. A composure that has just been called into question by this double hospitalization.

In Kate’s case, the transparency is not complete

Mark Roche

In its terse press release, Kensington Palace says “planned abdominal surgery “. However, Wells’ agenda has just been completely shaken by Kate’s hospitalization and recovery. Can we think that Kate’s health has suddenly deteriorated?
Performances at the Windsors are planned six months in advance like clockwork. Security, media, guests… Everything is measured by the second. So canceling public appearances, visits or official visits is no small matter. This is a sign that the situation is very serious. The general feeling is that the princess has a gynecological problem. But these are only rumours… The fact remains that they are disturbing the British.

You said, along with Kate, Charles III will be hospitalized next week for hypertrophy.benign » prostate. Medical details are being released as rarely before. Does this indicate that the palace protocol has changed?
Palace communications were disrupted by the queen’s death. Elizabeth II surrounded herself with soldiers, former chief officials, diplomats… And as a result, she gave little information. He also did his best to hide the smoking and alcoholism of his sister Margaret, the only member of the Windsor family to have serious health problems. Charles III, in turn, chose to appoint the former deputy director as head of his royal communications department. Daily Mail:, the country’s leading popular daily newspaper. The latter motivates the king to be more transparent. We feel it clearly, for several months there has been a desire to better inform the press, to be less distant with journalists during business trips. As for Kate’s hospitalization, the transparency is not complete. This is a half-hearted, half-sweet statement. Officially it says it’s to protect privacy. But since nothing is being said, speculation is rife. Personally, I think the House is not lying when it denies cancer causes, because we will find out eventually one day or another.

(1) The Borgias at BuckinghamAlbin Michel, May 2022, 336 pages, €20.90.