In the weeks after Kate, Princess of Wales, revealed her cancer diagnosis, a rumor surfaced on Facebook about her husband, Prince William. Posts claimed that William had made a “sad announcement” about Kate, leading fans to worry and speculate. The rumors spread widely in April 2024 and were posted by several pages such as *PrayAmerica*.
The posts all had a similar message: “Prince William makes sad announcement that leaves fans in tears: ‘My wife has been…’” – a statement that was meant to suggest a new, heartbreaking message. This same misleading headline had already appeared on Facebook in March, just days after Kate’s video statement.
The rumor mill arose following Kate’s announcement on March 22, when she revealed her cancer diagnosis and shared details about her recovery journey. In a video message, she opened up about her diagnosis and treatment plan, explaining that she had undergone major surgery in January that initially appeared to be unrelated to cancer. However, subsequent tests revealed cancer cells, prompting her doctors to recommend preventative chemotherapy.
“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time my condition was thought to be non-cancerous,” Kate said. “The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found that cancer was present. My medical team then advised me to undergo preventative chemotherapy treatment.”
This video was the first time Kate publicly acknowledged her condition, following King Charles III’s own cancer diagnosis in February 2024. The royal family, showing resilience in the face of these difficult times, received a wave of public support.
As for the Facebook rumors about William, the posts were misleading, as they reused a past quote out of context to create a new narrative. These posts directed readers to unknown websites filled with pop-up ads and dubious content, raising suspicions that the goal was to trick or scam users.
The origin of the phrase “my wife has been” actually dates back to an event long before Kate’s health news. In February 2024, Prince William attended the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), where he humorously remarked that he had missed many of the nominated films due to Kate’s recent surgery. He said, “With my wife it’s been a bit… I hope we catch up. I’ll do my list tonight.” His comments were simply an expression of support, mentioning that he had prioritized Kate’s recovery over watching movies.
The timing of the post – immediately after Kate’s diagnosis – likely contributed to its rapid spread, as many readers assumed the posts were related to her recent health announcement. However, despite the gravity of Kate’s health-related content, the Facebook posts were not new updates, but rather a misrepresentation of old comments by William. The websites linked to the posts were also problematic; they were not reliable news sources, but rather sites of dubious credibility, raising concerns about potential scams and misinformation.