An investigation has been initiated at the clinic where Kate Middleton underwent abdominal surgery after a staff member attempted to access her private medical records, according to a report in The Guardian. This development follows a period of absence from public view since December for the 42-year-old. Kensington Palace has stated that she is recuperating at home following a “planned abdominal surgery” in January. Despite a few blurry images and videos, she has remained out of sight, prompting widespread speculation about her health on social media, leading to global headlines and rumors.
Citing the Mirror, the report mentioned that at least one employee made an unauthorized attempt to retrieve Kate Middleton’s medical records in January while she was receiving care at The London Clinic in Marylebone, London. The clinic’s senior management promptly contacted Kensington Palace upon learning of the incident and assured them of a thorough investigation.
A source revealed, “This breach of security is significant and highly detrimental to the hospital’s reputation, known for its impeccable treatment of royal family members. The entire medical staff is shocked and distressed by these allegations, deeply hurt that a trusted colleague could potentially violate such fundamental principles of trust and ethics.”
The UK’s data protection and privacy authority confirmed receipt of a breach report. An Information Commissioner’s Office spokesperson stated, “We have received a report of a breach and are currently evaluating the provided information.” Meanwhile, Kensington Palace remarked that the matter falls under the purview of The London Clinic.
While The London Clinic declined to comment on the allegations directly, they emphasized the importance of patient privacy regarding medical records. “We firmly uphold the belief that all our patients, irrespective of their status, deserve absolute privacy and confidentiality concerning their medical data,” they affirmed.
Although specifics regarding Ms. Middleton’s condition remain undisclosed, Kensington Palace previously clarified that it does not relate to cancer and reiterated her desire for privacy regarding medical matters. According to medical advice, the Princess is expected to refrain from public engagements until after Easter on March 31.
In a noteworthy development, Kate Middleton was sighted at a farmer’s market alongside her husband Prince William on March 16. A recent video released by British media depicted a smiling Princess, clad in black attire, strolling with her husband and carrying shopping bags at the Windsor market. While some observers questioned the resemblance of the woman in the video to the Princess, others expressed joy at seeing Ms. Middleton appearing “content and in good health.” Numerous individuals online also remarked on the perceived low quality of the images, considering the prevalence of smartphones and HD cameras.
