The news that Kate, the Princess of Wales is undergoing treatment for cancer shocked the nation, and put an end to weeks of wild speculation online about her whereabouts and the state of her health.
However, the emotional video message during which Kate broke the news herself directly to the public also marked a "turning point" for the Royal Family, an expert has claimed. The House of Windsor has long been known to adopt an approach of "never explain, never complain" when it comes to their public relations strategy, but Kate taking charge of her own narrative and opening up about the health challenges she has been dealing with may indicate a serious pivot in the royal strategy.
The expert, Duncan Larcombe, explained on True Royalty TV's show The Royal Beat just why the approach of Kate speaking out and explaining her absence to the country is so significant. "I think this video represents the end of the mantra of 'never complain, never explain'. Clearly, we've entered the realm of now the royals will explain."
The royal journalist added: "So in the future, if the Palace is going to fight back where it would have previously stayed quiet, then I think that is a turning point." Before sharing the health update, PR and crisis management expert Edward Coram-James told the Mirror that Kate had been 'nailing' her response to the online frenzy of her whereabouts.
However, warned against the royals throwing away the tried and tested mantra on other matters that worked so well for the late Queen Elizabeth. Coram-James noted that after the furor over Kate's edited Mother's Day photo - which was withdrawn by news agencies on the grounds of suspected "manipulation" - the Princess was too quick to release a personal apology for the "confusion" caused by her edits in a message on her official social media accounts.
"I fault neither the Princes of Wales, nor any of her team, for doing a bit of editing to a photo that they knew would be seen by millions of people. The only remarkable thing about that photograph was that it garnered so much scrutiny," he began.
"The only pertinent response, that can cool the flames, is no response," explained the PR expert. "My one critique of the Princess' PR or crisis communications strategy to date is that she gave gravity to such criticisms by responding to them in her subsequent statement."
Commenting before the news of her ill-health came to light, he added: "My advice to the Princess: the late Queen had it right. 'Never complain. Never explain.' You're just about the only family in the world that is able to stand by that principle so diligently. So, stand by it. Panic breeds panic. And explaining, however well-intentioned that may be, often comes across as panic. So, stick to the script.".
Kensington Palace has been approached for comment.
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