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 comment about Kate, sparking concern and speculation among the media. The rumors spread widely in April 2024 and were posted on various pages such as *PrayAmerica*.
All the posts had a similar message: “Prince William makes a sad comment that moves his followers to tears: ‘My wife has…’”—a statement meant to suggest a new and heartbreaking message. This same misleading headline had already appeared on Facebook in March, just days after Kate’s video.
### The truth behind Kate’s health problem
The rumor arose after Kate’s appearance on March 22, when she revealed her cancer diagnosis and shared details about her recovery. In a video message, she discussed her diagnosis and treatment, explaining that she had undergone major surgery in January that initially appeared to be cancer-related. However, subsequent tests revealed cancerous cells, leading her doctors to recommend preventative chemotherapy.
“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery at Lopidoy, and at the time, my condition was believed to be noncancerous,” Kate said. “The surgery was successful. However, postoperative tests revealed cancer. My medical team recommended preventative chemotherapy.”
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.
### Misleading rumors about William’s “sad incident”
Regarding the Facebook rumors about William, the posts were misleading, as they reused a previous quote from the original text to create a new narrative. These posts directed readers to well-known websites filled with pop-up ads and dubious content, raising suspicions that the goal was to deceive or scam users.
The origin of the phrase “my wife has been ringing” dates back to a time before the news about Kate’s health. In February 2024, Prince William attended the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), where he humorously commented that he had missed many of the films omitted due to Kate’s surgery. He said, “My wife has been ringing a bit… I hope we catch up. I’ll do my list tonight.” His comments were simply an expression of support, indicating that he had prioritized Kate’s recovery over watching movies.
### Why the rumors persisted
The timing of the post (immediately after Kate’s diagnosis) likely contributed to its rapid spread, as many readers assumed it was related to the comment she had received about her health. However, despite the seriousness of the issue surrounding Kate’s health, the Facebook posts were not new updates, but rather a misrepresentation of William’s old comments. The websites the posts referenced were also problematic; they were not reliable news sources, but sites of dubious credibility, raising suspicions of potential scams and misinformation.
### How to avoid falling for misinformation
For those who have doubts about the veracity of posts like these, it’s helpful to verify the information with reliable sources. While social media provides prompt updates, not all are reliable, and some posts may use rumors to direct traffic to trusted websites. The best strategy is to consult reliable sources and official statements from the royal family to ensure the truth.
Finally, although Kate and Prince William are facing a serious health problem, the rumors surrounding them have been dismissed as inaccurate and misleading. The royal family hopes to receive unwavering support from the public, and Kate remains focused on her treatment, with William by her side.
