Does history have a way of repeating itself? This question comes to mind as Charles Spencer, the younger sibling of the late Princess Diana, steps into the spotlight to address the swirling conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton’s recent disappearance.
In an upcoming BBC interview, Spencer, aged 59, shared his concerns about the distortion of truth in today’s digital age. During the conversation, reporter Laura Kuenssberg questioned him on his views regarding the current wave of online conspiracies versus the press intrusion that plagued his sister Diana. Diana tragically lost her life in a car accident in 1997, at 36, while trying to escape paparazzi in Paris.
In this interview, Charles Spencer, now 59, drew parallels between the media frenzy that surrounded his sister Diana’s life and the scrutiny faced by Kate Middleton. He believes the dangers were more pronounced back in the day. Reflecting on the circumstances of Diana’s death, he feels it forced the paparazzi to reconsider their actions, not out of moral obligation but due to the sheer unacceptability of the tragedy.
Since Diana’s passing, Spencer, alongside her sons, Princes Harry and William, has been outspoken about the media’s contribution to the tragedy. Prince Harry, at 39, has shared his own experiences of media harassment, especially post his parents’ separation, in his Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan.”
The current Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has also been under intense media scrutiny, especially following her absence after an abdominal surgery in January. Despite a successful operation and a statement from Kensington Palace about her recuperation at Adelaide Cottage, her prolonged public absence has fueled various conspiracy theories.
After inquiries about the missing royal, Kensington Palace reiterated their stance, emphasizing the princess’s recovery process and stating she was doing well. However, Middleton’s absence continued to spark speculation until she was seen with her mother, Carole, in a few unclear photos.
Adding to the controversy, Middleton shared a family photo on Instagram for the UK’s Mother’s Day, which was later withdrawn by several news outlets over concerns of digital manipulation. The Princess of Wales apologized for any confusion caused by the edited photo, stating her occasional experimentation with photo editing.
The incident led to demands for the release of the unedited photo, which Kensington Palace has declined. Following this, Phil Chetwynd of France’s AFP news agency expressed distrust in Kensington Palace as a reliable information source.