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Princess Kate announcement could be on way because of growing pressure on Palace, royal expert says
Hugo Vickers touched on several issues in an exclusive chat
PRINCESS Kate could make an announcement on her health because of growing pressure on the Palace, a royal expert has claimed.
Kate was last seen on public duty on Christmas Day and has been unable to carry out official engagements since having abdominal surgery in January.
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The mum-of-three is not set to return to her royal duties until after the Easter holidays.
In a bid to reassure the public she released a Mother’s Day photo — taken by William — of her and the kids.
However, Kate ended up sparking more hysteria and wild conspiracy theories over the snap, which she altered using Photoshop.
Princess Kate seen for the first time since surgery
Now, royal historian Hugo Vickers has said that there will be "more pressure" the longer Kensington Palace leave any announcement.
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Vickers was asked whether there was a growing sense that we are coming to a point where an announcement will be made regarding Kate's health.
He exclusively told The Sun: "Well, it's not impossible, because there's been a lot of pressure on Kensington Palace, and the longer they leave it, I guess the more pressure there will be.
"So I don't know, but let's let's wait and see. There could well be some kind of an announcement.
"It was suggested in the Sunday Times yesterday that there will come a point where Catherine, when she's fully better, you know, will in some some way discuss maybe her illness whatever that may be in an appropriate way.
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"That's all very much up in the air obviously."
'LEAVE HER ALONE'
Kate was embroiled in hurtful criticism over the edited Mother’s Day picture.
Princess Kate on video for first time since surgery looking happy on shopping trip with William
And Hugo added that the public should "leave her alone" during what is understandably a fragile time.
He added: "The photograph was well received when it first came out, and then it was criticised later.
"But as the week went on, I think the general attitude suddenly over here in Britain and amongst intelligent people was, oh, come on, you know.
"Leave her alone, let her get better at her own pace. We admire her and respect her.
"Why are we treating her as if she's some sort of a criminal for having, maybe, you know, tried to improve a photograph one way or another.
"It was very unattractive what was done last week, but I think the sympathy is absolutely there."
OUT & ABOUT
As the Princess of Wales attempts to get back into the swing of her normal life, she has been spotted on three occasions since Kensington Palace announced her three-month recovery.
In most recent sightings, Kate took a trip to her favourite farm shop on Saturday.
Onlookers said she looked “happy, relaxed and healthy” on the visit a mile from her Adelaide Cottage home in Windsor.
In a further boost on Sunday, Kate and William spent the morning watching children George, ten, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five, take part in sports.
HEALTH BATTLE
Palace sources told The Sunday Times that Kate is keen to speak about her health battle — but only when she returns to frontline duties.
One friend said: “She and William are at their most open when out interacting with the public.
“I can see a world in which the Princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements.
“If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it.
“They appreciate the public’s love and affection for their children and know there is a public appetite to see them on their birthdays.”
There's been a lot of pressure on Kensington Palace, and the longer they leave it, I guess the more pressure there will be
Hugo Vickers
Kensington Palace maintains Kate is “doing well” and will offer only significant updates as she recovers.
The friend said Wills and Kate had been “shaken” by the online hysteria over her health and the fallout over her Mother’s Day snap.
But they said the couple refused to be pushed into revealing details.
The pal added: “They will want to be clear and more open, but they’ll do it when they feel ready.
“I would expect that to be her instinct and it will be her call. They are not going to be rushed.”
'Lay off Kate'
THE Sun last week led the way in defending Princess Kate when she was being criticised from all angles over the edited photo saga.
Social media trolls were quick to attack the future Queen over her editing of a Mother’s Day family picture.
Media critics also weighed in with their opinions alongside the idiotic conspiracy theorists, but The Sun stood alone in saying: Lay off Kate.
Our front page blasted: "The furious attacks on the future Queen over her photoshopping of a Mother’s Day family picture are not just absurd.
"They now look like a bullying campaign against a devoted mum, recovering from a serious operation, who simply wanted to offer the public a perfect portrait of her and her kids.
"She meant well, made a mistake and fessed up. Fair enough.
"Now leave her alone to get over her op."
'KATESPIRACIES'
Kate was discharged 13 days after her January operation.
But as she recuperated speculation grew online over her health.
It was stoked further when William pulled out of a memorial service last month.
“Katespiracies” have ranged from her getting cosmetic surgery to appearing as a contestant on The Masked Singer.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
It was very unattractive what was done last week, but I think the sympathy is absolutely there
Hugo Vickers
Kate is unlikely to return until after April 17 when her children go back to Lambrook School, near Ascot, following the Easter holidays.
But last night, it was reported that she has not ruled out making a return to the public eye on Easter Sunday when she could join her family for the traditional walk to church in Windsor.
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