On Friday night, while watching television, I saw a woman in her early forties tell the world that she had been diagnosed with cancer. That woman was Catherine, the Princess of Wales. But I didn’t see a Princess. I saw a woman who looked tired and afraid. But most of all, I saw a Mum who had been trying to protect her young children from the media frenzy surrounding her health. She asked for privacy and surely everyone deserves that.
At the start of January, Kensington Palace issued a statement to say that the Princess of Wales had undergone abdominal surgery and she wouldn’t be doing any public duties until after Easter. But that wasn’t good enough for the media or some people on social media. They all wanted more than that. They wanted the juicy details. And because the Palace didn’t give them what they wanted, conspiracy theories about her and her family were shared.
I read some of the bizarre conspiracy theories and felt sickened by many of them. Some people might have been having a bit of fun with this story but others were simply vile. They were cruel and disgusting.
But I was really stunned that people didn’t think that Catherine deserved the same privacy that everyone else in the world is afforded. People, including some well-known journalists, celebrities and television personalities, were demanding that the Princess of Wales should share the full details of her health with the world. Would those people be happy to share every detail of their own health records? I don’t think so.
Everyone Deserves Privacy
I blog about my own health. That is my choice. Nobody ever forced me to do that. And, although it might seem as though I write about every aspect of my health, I don’t. And I’m sure that all chronic illness bloggers are the same. We like to keep some things private. Just like everyone else, we like some privacy too.
A couple of weeks ago, on Mother’s Day, here in the UK, the Princess of Wales shared a photo of herself with her children. That photo was scrutinised and it was discovered that it had been photoshopped. She apologised for that. It was Mother’s Day and she knew that people wanted to see a photo of her with her children. But I imagine that she was feeling pretty awful and didn’t feel like sitting in front of a camera with a smile on her face. So she used Photoshop to create the photo that people had been craving.
The furore that erupted after that photo was beyond ridiculous. It was as though Catherine had committed some kind of heinous crime.
As someone who lives with health issues, I understand why she did that. When I’m having a bad day, I wouldn’t want to sit in front of a camera either. Even on one of my better days, I’d rather share photos of my dog!
But I certainly wouldn’t want to fix my hair, put on some make-up so I look at least half-alive and sit there posing with a smile on my face. I’d maybe resort to using Photoshop too. Except, I wouldn’t have to because I don’t have half the world’s population desperate to see me. Thankfully!!
Nobody Should Feel Forced to Share Their Health Details
Nobody should ever feel they need to share every detail of their health. And they shouldn’t have to sit in front of a camera to show the world how well or how ill they look. Everyone deserves privacy…and that includes the Royal Family.
I’m not even a royalist but seeing how people have behaved towards this woman has really annoyed me. Yes, our taxes keep the Royal Family well-fed, well-clothed and well-housed, but surely that doesn’t mean that they need to give us the most personal details of their health?
Would you want to divulge every detail of your health to the world? Would you want to divulge everything before you’ve had the chance to come to terms with a worrying diagnosis yourself? Would you be happy to share it with the world before you could explain it to your children properly so that they feel reassured?
Cancer is Frightening
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is probably one of the most frightening things that people might need to face in life. Frightening for them and for their families.
Fortunately, for the Princess of Wales, she’ll be getting best healthcare possible and I hope that her treatment works. I hope the same for anyone going through treatment for cancer or any other illness.
In the UK, our NHS is falling to pieces and most people have long waits for diagnosis and treatments. In an ideal world we would all be able to access the best medical care quickly but, unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world.
Being able to afford the best private healthcare available might seem ideal. But, just like NHS treatments, private treatments don’t come with any guarantees for a positive outcome. I’m sure private healthcare patients feel the same fears about cancer as the rest of us. Private healthcare won’t take away the horrible side effects of treatment. It won’t take away the worry of the treatment not working. And it won’t take away the fear of the cancer returning.
Social Media Seems to Be Full of Love and Hate
Some people might think that the Princess of Wales was brave to make that video. I think she felt forced to do so. I think she hoped that the video might stop the vitriolic attacks on her and her family. But, having looked at social media since Friday, it hasn’t. Oh, there’s been an outpouring of love and support for her. But many of the same people who have been making the crazy conspiracy theories are still there making more. If only they could put their energy and voices to better use.
Diana was chased to her death by the paparazzi. Nowadays, the Royals don’t just have paparazzi to deal with. They have the vitriol of social media to deal with too.
I wish the Princess of Wales well and I hope that her treatment is successful. And I sincerely hope that people give this woman and her family the privacy they need right now…everyone deserves that.
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I so agree with all this
Sadly this is still not enough ,she opened her heart to the world .
People are still clamouring for more .
I see posts speculating still ,what kind of cancer ,does she have a bag??
(Lots I expect )
Then H and M will they come over ,if they do they will be accused of causing upset if they don’t will mean they don’t care .
I’ve seen posts saying they caused the King ‘s and princess’s cancer .
I have to take a break from social media .
It’s brilliant for health forums and finding lost pets .for sharing fun things with friends
but it’s too easy to sprout unkind rubbish .
Then the whole thing turns into a slanging match .
On a group I belong to a lady said she objected to the princess being described as brave ..as if people who are scared of cancer aren’t brave .
This group are alway kind and supportive one or two said they thought she had maybe missed the point and people were meaning she was brave to make the video.
Next day she is leaving the group.
People are being unkind to her .
Just take a breathe ,think before you type .
Diana’s life was made miserable enough ,mind-boggling to think how much worse it would have been with social media .
It’s sad that it got to the stage where Catherine felt she had to send a message .
She looked frail and frightened .
yet said she will be alright .
People will say she is ‘lucky to get best health care..she acknowledged that .
She will be well looked after .
She is loved by all her family .
There will still be those dark middle of the night moments though.
I wish her well ,most of all I wish her peace to recover at her own pace .
Yes, sadly, the speculation and the conspiracy theories are still going on.
I’ve seen a couple of high-profile journalists who’d previously contributed to the speculation saying that we all need to apologise to the Princess of Wales. No, we don’t ALL need to. Most of us are decent enough people with empathy and have nothing to apologise for.
I’ve also seen those posts saying the stress from H & M caused it. But I’ve also seen the other side saying it’s karma that they both have cancer. It really makes me angry. I think I need to do the same as you and take a break from social media.
I feel sad for anyone going through this and as I said in my post, private health care doesn’t take away the fear she must have and will continue to have.
Thank you for commenting, Lyn. x
The way this has played out in the media has pretty nothing short of appalling. I saw some conspiracy theories floating around on Twitter and it made me feel better in a way – I guess my life isn’t so boring and sad after all because I don’t feel the need to do this sort of nonsense!
You’re absolutely right. She deserves the same privacy as everyone else. She’s not just a royal figurehead. She’s a person, a woman, mother, wife, a patient going through an horrific experience.
The furore that came with the photo was just bizarre, wasn’t it? I can’t get my head around why people care. Sure, make a comment at the dinner table with your family about it or what you see in the news but that’s surely as far it goes. The media tore it apart and the masses on social media finished it off so there was nothing left at the end. Kate ended up backed into a corner having to defend herself and explain something she likely would have kept private otherwise.
Really well said, Liz. xx
It really has been pretty appalling. It seems that there are some strange people in the world who have nothing better to do with their time than to make up stories and spread lies. I couldn’t believe some of the things I was reading.
What blew up from that photo was absolutely crazy. I didn’t understand that at all. They acted like it was the crime of the century.
We live in a strange world Caz.
Thanks for commenting,
Liz x