The ever-acerbic John Oliver, known for his witty take on current affairs, has found himself in the midst of the ongoing speculation surrounding Kate Middleton. Addressing the controversy on the March 12 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Oliver didn’t hold back on his thoughts about the royal family’s handling of the situation.
Referring to the recent furor over a family photo shared by Kate on March 10, which was subsequently removed from news sites for allegedly being “manipulated,” Oliver quipped, “I was out. I thought ‘Let’s all just ignore this, we’ve moved on,’ until the Photoshop thing.” He went on to jest that it almost feels like the royal family is “handling it badly in an impressive way at this point.”
Amidst chuckles from the audience, Oliver, in typical fashion, didn’t shy away from the more outlandish theories surrounding Kate’s whereabouts. When asked about the royal family’s motto of “Never complain. Never explain,” Oliver humorously pondered, “There is a non-zero chance she died 18 months ago. They might be Weekend at Bernie’s-ing this situation.”
While the comparison to the comedic film about two individuals pretending their deceased boss is still alive may seem far-fetched, Oliver clarified that he’s not entirely certain about the situation, but it’s not entirely implausible either. He humorously added that definitive proof of Kate’s existence might only be provided when she’s photographed holding a copy of the day’s newspaper.
Despite the comedic tone of Oliver’s remarks, they reflect the concerns expressed by many regarding Kate’s absence from the public eye, particularly since her abdominal surgery in January. With the 42-year-old yet to make a formal public appearance post-surgery, speculations have been rife about her well-being and whereabouts.
Kensington Palace initially stated that Kate wouldn’t resume her royal duties until after Easter, and since then, she has only been spotted driving twice: once with her mother on March 4, and again with her husband Prince William on March 11.
The controversy surrounding the manipulated photo shared by Kate hasn’t helped matters either, with the credibility of the royals coming under scrutiny. The Agence France-Presse (AFP) announced on March 14 that it no longer views Kensington Palace as a trusted source for handout pictures, citing compromised trust.
As discussions about Kate’s situation continue to swirl, her representatives maintain that she is doing “well,” while Prince William’s focus remains on his work. Yet, amidst the uncertainty and conjecture, one thing remains clear: the fascination with the British royal family persists, with even the likes of John Oliver adding their comedic spin to the ongoing saga.
