History has consistently shown us that achieving the ideal royal marriage is an elusive concept. Even the 73-year-long and seemingly flawless union of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip faced its fair share of rumors and speculation.
Externally, nearly every royal relationship appears to be a vibrant fairy tale come to life. However, the reality behind closed doors is undeniably more intricate. In the contemporary era, with every moment of the royals’ lives susceptible to documentation through photos, posts, appearances, and other means, the once tightly closed doors seem to offer a bit less secrecy.
Making recent headlines, Prince William and Kate Middleton are the latest couple to be engulfed in rumors about their relationship. While their marriage has been a subject of discussion in recent years, recent speculations suggest that the couple might be on the verge of a separation.
A European tabloid story, which was subsequently picked up by larger international outlets, asserted that Prince William and Kate Middleton are undergoing a separation. The now-deleted piece alleged that Kate, accompanied by the couple’s children, sought refuge at her family’s residence in Buckleberry amid persistent discord in their relationship.
On May 18, the day when the news gained traction, the royals were observed attending separate engagements. Despite this, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that the couple is indeed heading for a separation. The palace has refrained from making any comments on the rumors, but there is speculation that the swift and widespread deletion of the story may be attributed to the influence of the royal family.
The article further claimed that mounting pressure on the couple has been a catalyst for issues in their marriage. As they approach the responsibilities of the crown, the narrative suggests they are drifting away from the tranquil country life that is purportedly desired by Kate and their children.
While the story is widely dismissed as mere rumor, it cannot be ignored that speculations have persistently surrounded William and Kate’s marriage. William has been portrayed as a hothead and an occasional cheater, while Kate is depicted as the stabilizing force in their family, striving to maintain order. Despite their public image contradicting these rumors, some within close royal circles acknowledge that there may be a grain of truth in what is often written off as falsehoods.
The parallels drawn between William and Kate’s relationship and that of Charles and Diana evoke comparisons. While the popularity gap between William and Kate is not as pronounced as it was between the Prince and Princess of Wales, there is a lingering curiosity about the potential impact a separation or divorce would have on William’s public image. Many ponder the extent to which such an event might affect William’s standing in the eyes of the public.
Indeed, having a high-profile relationship doesn’t shield one from the challenges that arise in any relationship. While it appears that William and Kate are not actually on the brink of a split, difficulties in their marriage should not be sensationalized as headline-worthy news. Relationships naturally undergo stages and seasons, and it would be misleading to portray the future king and queen of the United Kingdom as immune to occasional challenges that require resolution.
KP allowed and contributed to many false stories about Meghan, but with this report about William & Kate, and several others, they flexed their power to get it removed. We already know who gets protection in that institution. pic.twitter.com/kcs1S4dq5E
— Ori (@OritzBlue) May 18, 2022
Certainly, there’s a lingering awareness of the royal machinery’s reluctance to quash harmful rumors in the past. While acknowledging that William and Kate’s relationship may require attention, there’s a collective expectation for the entire royal family, and the institution as a whole, to discern when to take a firm stance and when to refrain from intervening in the face of speculation.
