The Royal Family in crisis

At 6.00 on Friday 29th March, a video of Kate Princess of Wales was published. She was comfortably dressed in a sweater, sitting alone on a bench. In her own words, she told the world that she had cancer and would be embarking on a course of preventative chemotherapy.

She spoke of the timing of her announcement. First, she needed to tell her children, but only after they had broken up from school. Second, she wanted to make her announcement in person- but this did not mean she was alone. She had the support of the Palace advisors, and her words were undoubtedly carefully scrutinised to make the most impact, buy her time, and give her privacy. It was a profoundly personal 2 minutes 15 seconds in which she touched people’s hearts when she said she was ‘thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer - you are not alone.’

Her serenity and courage were apparent. She has come to terms with her disease, but now she needs to manage the inevitable impact on her life and Royal Duties - what would she do with hair loss, for example?

Privacy has changed since Diana was the Princess of Wales. Diana could not go out publicly for fear of being chased down the street by the paparazzi. Kate has not had this experience—her concern is less with the paparazzi and more with the man or woman in the street who can take a photo of her at any time and place and share it on social media.

But it is not just that she needs to be careful of everyone she meets with a mobile phone but also those whom she does not meet. The frenzy of the family photo when she was not wearing her wedding ring - and those who speculate why she altered the picture of her and her family. The nasty comments of ordinary people and unpleasant remarks by journalists are upsetting. But she needs to recognise that the interested public hates a vacuum and, if not filled by fact, is loaded with horrid fiction.

Her video will have bought her time - she will be left alone for a while, but if briefings are not released, it will again be filled with ghastly fiction. Her advisors need to work out the communications strategy with her and her family, and she needs someone to monitor the comments so they can adapt the plan to divert attention wherever possible.

Just like Diana, who managed to use the paparazzi to her advantage, Kate and her advisors will need to know how best to use social media. But it will never stop the nasty comments or people speculating about what could happen.

The only thing that will stop this unpleasantness is legislation making social media platforms responsible and liable for what is published. But this will not come quickly enough to save Kate for this year's Christmas gossip - hair or no hair.

However, some good things have come out of this crisis, not least that Kate has been seen to talk sense with confidence and courage amid a crisis. She has often spoken at events for The Forward Trust, formerly the Action on Addiction charity, but no one was listening, and her words were overlooked—maybe she will come to be recognised as a public speaker as well as a pretty face.

The other Royal who has played a ‘blinder’ is Queen Camilla, who has taken centre stage as the King and is also suffering from cancer. She has been gracious, courageous, and responsible—no doubt she will win the hearts and minds of the public in a way that could not otherwise have happened.

I am sure you would like to join me in wishing HRH Princess of Wales and his Majesty King Charles a speedy recovery.