British royal family faces unsettling times

According to The New York Times, both King Charles III and Princess Kate of Wales have been diagnosed with cancer, causing a sense of unease within the British royal family.

The report states that the news of Kate's cancer diagnosis came as a shock to many in the UK. Kate, who comes from a non-royal background, is known for her charm and down-to-earth nature and has garnered empathy from the public, especially in her roles as a princess and a mother.

Since Kate disappeared from the public eye after the royal Christmas service on December 25th, and with Prince William's temporary absence from a significant royal event in late February due to 'personal reasons', followed by the 'edited photos' incident on March 10th, various rumors and conspiracy theories have been circulating.

The announcement of the cancer diagnosis has temporarily put an end to speculations and conjectures surrounding Kate's absence on social media and news outlets. However, like King Charles III, Kate's cancer news has left many questions unanswered.

The New York Times points out that Kate's illness comes at a time when the British royal family is gradually declining, and her temporary withdrawal from the public eye is undoubtedly another heavy blow to the monarchy. With Charles III undergoing treatment and unable to make public appearances, and the entire royal family still adjusting to the loss of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, the British royal family has been embroiled in a series of controversies, including Prince Harry and Meghan's departure from the royal family and Prince Andrew's involvement in a sex scandal.

Borokowski, a public relations and crisis communication expert in London, stated that the image of the British royal family has increasingly sparked controversies in recent years. The royal PR team has long sought to balance maintaining members' privacy and addressing public concerns. However, in this era of deepfake and information overload, information vacuums can be filled with endless conspiracy theories.

With Kate's return to the public eye, the health conditions of royal family members will undoubtedly become a focal point of public attention. How the post-Queen era British royal family regains public trust, media credibility, and the people's trust may be one of the challenges they need to consider and face in the future.