A close-up of Kate Middleton.
Kate Middleton has come under attack
  • Kensington Palace said on January 17 that Kate Middleton would be off duty until after Easter.
  • But social media is awash with baseless conspiracy theories — "Katespiracies" — about her absence.
  • I want people to shut up about it. 

Kensington Palace released a statement on January 17 announcing that Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, had undergone "planned abdominal surgery" the previous day.

"Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter," it said.