Kate Middleton reportedly “hurt” over widespread rumors “affecting” her three kids

(Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

The Princess of Wales, 42, has been the subject of widespread speculation since January, when she was hospitalized for what was reportedly an abdominal surgery. But her long absence from the public eye — it was nearly two months before she was spotted in public again — led to conspiracy theories that her condition was worse than the royals were letting on.

And fuel was added to the flames when Kensington Palace released a photo of Kate and her three children in honor of Mother’s Day in the UK. While the photo seemed to show the family in good spirits and Kate in good health, the photo was soon “killed” by photo agencies for being doctored.

Kate admitted to editing the photo, and the royals have not released the unedited version, leading to even more speculation and conspiracy theories online. Internet sleuths have been having a field day with the story, positing theories that the Duchess was actually dead, or that she was having intense marital troubles with William (she’s not wearing her wedding ring in the altered photo.)

It’s a very unusual situation, and since the royals are high-profile public figures it should come as no shock that they’re the subject of such intense media scrutiny.

But insiders say that the wild rumors are starting to take a toll on the couple’s three kids: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 02: Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour during Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee on June 02, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. Trooping The Colour, also known as The Queen’s Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army that has taken place since the mid-17th century. It marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign. This year, from June 2 to June 5, 2022, there is the added celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Mirror that while Kate may be used to such accusations and rumors, her young children might not be able to handle it.

“The accompanying praise or criticism will not be fun to deal with, but it is what she signed up for when she married William,” Ingrid said. “The reality of the social media storm of the past couple of weeks was not however what she ever expected. Not only did it affect her but the children. They are protective of their mother – especially as she has been unwell.”

(Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

“Kate is made of strong stuff as are all the Middleton women,” she added. “But it doesn’t stop her being hurt. They deserve some final downtime with their kids before it all starts up again.”

Ingrid also told The Mirror that William and Kate would be “hunkering down and concentrating on their family life” during their kids’ Easter holidays.

William and Kate were reportedly spotted with their three children, and the Princess of Wales is supposed to return to royal duties by Easter. She is also expected to attend the royal family’s Easter service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor — though it remains to be seen whether this appearance will quash or just encourage the theories about her health.

“It would be a good way for her to re-enter the public arena, but perhaps too public a one,” Ingrid Seward told The Mirror. “Kate knows hundreds of television and camera images scrutinising every inch of her will be transmitted around the world.”