Weeks after Kate, Princess of Wales, revealed her cancer diagnosis, a Facebook rumor emerged about her husband, Prince William. The posts claimed that William had made a “sad statement” about Kate, sparking concern and speculation among fans. The rumors became widespread in April 2024 and were published by several sites such as *PrayAmerica*.

Every post had a similar message: “Prince William makes sad statement that leaves his fans in tears: ‘My wife has been…’” a statement that was 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 post.

### The truth behind Kate’s health app

Rumors surfaced following Kate’s death on March 22, when she revealed her cancer diagnosis and shared details about her recovery. In a video message, she opened up about her diagnosis and treatment plan, explaining that she had undergone major surgery but that it initially appeared to be unrelated to the cancer. However, further tests revealed cancerous cells, leading his doctors to recommend preventative chemotherapy.

“But I had major abdominal surgery in London, and at that point my condition was deemed not to be cancerous,” Kate said. “The surgery was successful. However, post-operative tests revealed I had cancer. My medical team then recommended preventative chemotherapy.”

This video was the first time Kate publicly acknowledged her covetousness, 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 apology”

In reference to the Facebook rumors about William, the posts were misleading because they reused the above quote out of context to create a narrative. These posts directed readers to unknown websites filled with pop-up ads and deceptive content, raising suspicions that the goal was to trick or scam users.

The origin of the phrase “my wife has been” goes back long before the news of Kate’s health. In February 2024, Prince William attended the BAFTA Awards (British Academy Film Awards), where he commented on the fact that he had missed many of the films scheduled due to Kate’s recent surgery. He said: “My wife has been a little while… I hope we catch up. I’ll make my list tonight.” His comments were simply an expression of support, suggesting 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 were concerned that it was related to her recent health update. However, despite the severity of the content surrounding Kate’s health, the Facebook posts were not just updates, but a misrepresentation of comments against William. Websites linked to public sites were also problematic; they were not sources of reliable news, but rather sites of dubious credibility, raising concerns about scams and misinformation.

### How to avoid falling into disinformation

For those concerned about the veracity of posts like these, it’s helpful to verify information with reliable sources. While social media offers quick updates, not all content is reliable, and some posts may spread rumors to drive traffic to unreliable websites. The best strategy is to consult reliable news sources and official royal family accounts to ensure veracity.

Finally, although Kate and Prince William are facing a significant health issue, the rumors surrounding them have been cleared as both inaccurate and misleading. The royal family has received unconditional support from the public, and Kate remains focused on her treatment, with William by her side.