A ROYAL expert has said she was appalled by the US reaction to Princess Kate being “missing”.
The Princess of Wales, 42, revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in an emotional video message last week.
The announcement came following weeks of intense speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about the whereabouts and health of Kate.
Throngs of celebs and internet trolls who peddled bizarre speculation about Kate’s whereabouts then rushed to apologise.
Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter‘s daughter Victoria, who spends much of her time in the US, discussed the attitude across the Atlantic after the brave footage.
She told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show: “I think there’s been an element of shame. I have to say I’ve been appalled at how the coverage unfolded.
“I think the Royal Family sometimes serves as a distraction to domestic problems in the US.
“It can be viewed, on occasion, as a bit of a soap opera. I think people just forgot their humanity in the process.
“It became almost a game of topping and I think it’s presented an interesting fork in the road for mainstream media.
“It’s one thing for us to say this is what is happening on social media, but what is it when social media is informing the news?”
Victoria claimed actress Blake Lively’s apology was the most “sincere” after she mocked Kate’s edited Mother’s Day photo.
“I’m sure no one cares today but I feel like I have to acknowledge this,” Blake penned on her Instagram account.
“I made a silly post around the ‘Photoshop fails’ frenzy, and oh man, that post has me mortified today.
“I’m sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.”
Fans told the 36-year-old, who is married to Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds, that she should be “ashamed of herself”.
Victoria continued: “There were mainstream media personalities who people look to for truth and authenticity and accuracy using words such as ‘missing’ and ‘disappeared’.
“I thought that was quite insidious because it gave legitimacy to those conspiracy theories and validating them.”
Fans have also called for Kim Kardashian to say sorry for her “on my way to go find Kate” Instagram post.
The reality star shared a series of snaps on Instagram but fans were quick to spot an ill-timed and thoughtless Royal Family reference.
Beneath the glamorous pics she said: “On my way to go find Kate.”
Rumours online about Kate intensified after William missed, at very short notice, the memorial service of his godfather the late King Constantine of Greece on February 27.
Grovelling celebs who spouted vile Kate conspiracies are shameful bullies, says royal expert
Hugo Vickers, royal historian, told The Sun: “The conspiracy theorists, went in big time in the last few days.
“It says an awful lot about the mindset of these people. The high profile ones, but also the very irresponsible members of the general public who just sort of weighed in as well.
“It was extremely unattractive because, we all love the Princess of Wales, and she’s done a fantastic job.
“She’s really faultless in everything she’s done ever since she married Prince William.”
The expert added all the vile trolling and ‘Katespiracies’ would have “made things much more difficult” than they already were.
“I think quite simply, they should be feeling very ashamed of themselves,” he added.
“I think quite a few people have popped up and apologised, and rightly so.
“This is not something you should be joking about, or bonding about all sorts of absurd theories.”
“You will always have conspiracy theories because if you’re a conspiracy theorist, that’s what you do,” continued Mr Vickers.
“There are always going to be people coming up with theories and they always will so that you can’t stop.
“I think that anyone who pops up with some ludicrous theory about the princess would get very short shrift.
“And so I imagine that they will go to ground to be quite honest, because in a sense, they are bullies. They’re pushing it the whole time.
“And as somebody rightly said years ago, inside every bully, there’s a coward desperately trying to stay in.”
It is now understood the prince’s decision not to attend was related to his wife’s condition, but it is not known when the princess was told about the positive test for cancer.
Further speculation was triggered after the princess admitted to “editing” her official Mother’s Day photograph which had irregularities.
A further development saw an investigation launched by the UK’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, into allegations there were attempts to access Kate’s private medical records at the London Clinic where she had her surgery.
It comes after The Sun revealed the #SussexSquad made outlandish claims about Kate in defence of their heroine, Meghan Markle.
Their campaign of hate began when they peddled sick conspiracy theories around Kate’s abdominal surgery, claiming she was the victim of domestic violence, was in the middle of a divorce from Prince William or hiding away after plastic surgery.
Even when the princess last week bravely told the world she is undergoing chemotherapy, the cyberbullies claimed her video was AI-generated.
Behind some of the worst trolling is a group using the hashtag #Sussexsquad who have made outlandish claims about Kate in defence of their heroine, the Duchess of Sussex.
There is no suggestion the group of trolls are endorsed by The Sussexes.
Their chief cheerleader is US tech entrepreneur Christopher Bouzy, who appeared on the Sussexes’ Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan to call out online hate.
When it was announced in January that the princess was undergoing surgery, he posted a video of a gymnast doing backflips, captioned: “Kate Middleton this weekend.”
The self-proclaimed Sussex Squad claims The Sun’s exclusive video of Kate visiting a farm shop in Windsor features a body double or lookalike.
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
MARCH 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
MARCH 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
MARCH 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
MARCH 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
MARCH 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
March 22: Kate released video revealing she has been receiving treatment for abdominal surgery