Princess Catherine of Wales’ uncle is sounding off on her recovery from abdominal surgery earlier this year, amid rampant speculation about her condition both in and outside the palace.
Gary Goldsmith, the younger brother of Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, hesitated to answer after the princess’ whereabouts when asked by fellow “Celebrity Big Brother U.K.” contestant Ekin-Su Culculoglu on this week’s season 23 premiere.
“So, because she doesn’t want to talk about it …” started Goldsmith, 58, according to a video shared Wednesday to the TikTok account, Big Bro Memes.
“We can’t talk about it,” Culculoglu concluded.
“The last thing I’m going to do is — there’s a kind of code of etiquette. If it’s announced, I’ll give you an opinion,” continued Goldsmith, as Culculoglu expressed her well wishes. “I think the most important thing … she’s getting the best care in the world.”
He noted “the family has put the wagons down” and is looking “after family first, before anything else.” Goldsmith then pointed to Kensington Palace’s limited statements about the matter and their repeated message that, “She just takes some time to recoup and we’ll see you [at] Easter.”
Goldsmith’s remarks come amid conspiracy theories related to Kate Middleton’s whereabouts, with even those at the palace “unsettled by uncertainty,” as royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People in this week’s cover story.
Kensington announced on Jan. 17 that the 42-year-old Princess of Wales had undergone a “successful” — and previously scheduled — abdominal surgery the day prior. As a result, they noted she would likely be out of commission until after Easter.
