Royal fans got a rare peak into the Prince and Princess of Wales’ lives when an establishment shared a 2023 picture of the couple. Some fans questioned its authenticity while others focused on Princess Catherine’s looks. The post thrilled some people as the royal has been out of the spotlight after being diagnosed with a serious illness.
On April 27, 2024, a social media post by Duffryn Mawr Country House, a bed and breakfast in Wales, had royal fans talking. The establishment’s Facebook post included a never-before-seen photo of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Princess Catherine (or Kate) and Prince William were seen posing together outside with staff members of the bed and breakfast. In the post’s caption, Duffryn Mawr Country House revealed they had welcomed the royal couple a year ago for one night.
The Prince and Princess stayed at the bed and breakfast during their visit to The Brecon Beacons. Duffryn Mawr Country House’s Instagram page says it’s a country house on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons. It can sleep up to 16 people and boasts a spa, games room, and a bar.
The bed and breakfast noted how the royal pair were “so kind and friendly” and that “it was a pleasure to have them stay here.” A second picture added by the establishment also showed how the royals both signed a guest book during their overnight stay.
During Princess Catherine’s visit to Wales and Duffryn Mawr Country House, she and her husband took part in some activities. The royal couple then popped over to Dowlais Rugby Club, where they met local community members.
The locals were spoiled with pizza from the Little Dragon Pizza Van and a chat with the Prince and Princess. The owner of the pizza place, Peter Morris, shared how Kate asked if they made their own dough. She also revealed to him that they and their children loved making their own.
An awestruck Morris declared, “Making pizza for the future king and queen is surreal.” The Princess and her husband got margherita, pepperoni, goat cheese, and barbecue chicken pizzas. The couple took some of the meals to share with rescue teams in Dowlais.
A publication uploaded the bed and breakfast’s image on its Facebook page, eliciting comments from fans who didn’t seem to believe it was Princess Catherine in it. One skeptical person wrote, “That looks nothing like Kate,” while someone else asked, “Is that Kate?”
However, someone responding to a Facebook post of the same picture believed it was the Princess of Wales in the image but showed concern, writing, “Kate looks sooo thin.”
The Princess of Wales at the Shaping Us National Symposium on November 15, 2023, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
One optimistic fan wrote, “I can’t wait till we see her out n (sic) about again. I just love her so much. Queen of all queens to be.” Another, commenting on the same photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, cryptically said, “This. Makes. It. Worse.”
Another fan appeared to have the same idea as the previous commenter, noting, “This makes things look more suspicious. Just stop.” The skepticism shown by some royal fans in seeing a picture of Princess Catherine is because she hasn’t taken on any public duties this year.
The Princess of Wales at the “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
This absence from public life is due to Princess Catherine undergoing preventative chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. As such, Prince William’s wife stopped working, and her last public event was the Shaping Us National Symposium, in November 2023.
However, in May 2024, a senior royal aide and a Kensington Palace spokesperson addressed the Princess’ return to public duties, saying, “She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors.”
People wondered about her return because she was said to be leading a new project. The initiative aims to encourage companies to adopt family-friendly practices in the workplace as an extension of prioritizing children’s developmental needs.
A spokesman clarified that the project didn’t mean Princess Kate was returning to her public duties. However, she was working on the project while recovering at home.
The Princess of Wales at the Christmas Morning Service on December 25, 2023, in Sandringham, Norfolk | Source: Getty Images
The royal aide shared, “She has been kept up to date since the inception of the task force and she has read the report and been briefed on it. This is a clear commitment she has made […] throughout her life of public service.”
They further stated, “That will continue when she returns to work.” Yet they clarified, “But we have been really clear that she needs the space and privacy to recover right now.”
Speaking on the royal’s behalf, Christian Guy, the executive director of the Centre for Early Childhood, noted, “I know […] that she is enormously grateful to the members of the Taskforce who have made such fantastic progress on this work over the past year.”
Still, her husband has been struggling with dealing with the Princess’ diagnosis. It’s been hard for him, especially because his father, King Charles, has also received a similar diagnosis. The Prince took some time off to be with his wife and their children but has since returned to his duties.
Ingrid Seward, a royal biographer, revealed that “everything hinges on Kate’s well-being,” for the Prince. Sadly, updates on the Princess’ condition have failed to calm royal fans due to her continued absence in the limelight.
Worried fans have shown concern through social media over the royal’s health, with one person stating, “Her cancer worries me. Many cancers in the abdominal area are very serious. I pray for strength and healing! She is a great mummy.”
While someone else noted, “This is just Heartbreaking. Prayers for all of them,” another wrote, “No one has seen her for over 140 days… [something’s] up folks.. I personally want a wellness check. I don’t trust these ‘Royals.'”
The Princess of Wales at The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
The fan continued, “You can [virtually signal] all you want, but this woman might be in trouble..” Another user showed their support by saying, “So So Sad for Katherine..Prayers, she will get through all of this, and be well, and live a long life with family.”