 "How Kate’s medical records were breached")
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has been the most talked-about royal in recent months. Her absence from the public eye following an abdominal surgery led to all sorts of wild speculation. Some attributed it to trouble in marriage with Prince William because of his extramarital affair with Rose Hanbury, Marchioness of Cholmondeley; others hinted at a more serious medical condition. It is all gossip and none of it is to be believed.
But that has not stopped a curious individual from breaching Kate’s medical records at The London Clinic, where she was admitted for surgery. According to media reports, at least one staff member attempted to gain unauthorised access to her files, prompting an investigation.
Here’s what we know so far.
How Kate’s medical records were accessed
The Daily Mirror reported a ‘breach’ in the security of the Princess of Wales’ medical records. The news raised eyebrows throughout Britain.
In January this year, Kate underwent a planned abdominal surgery at The London Clinic, where King Charles was also treated. The surgery was successful, and she spent nearly two weeks in the hospital.
According to media reports, the hospital staff attempted to illegally access her private medical records. Based on the reports, the United Kingdom’s information watchdog opened an investigation into the alleged incident.
Impact Shorts
View All“We have received a report of a breach and are in the process of evaluating the details provided,” a spokesperson from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said on Tuesday.
**Also Read: Another Kategate: Did the Princess of Wales alter Queen Elizabeth's image?**According to The Mirror, the London Clinic reportedly contacted Kensington Palace, the official residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, to inform them of the alleged privacy violation. In return, Kensington Palace released a statement that said, “This issue pertains to The London Clinic.”
What the London Clinic has to say
The London Clinic has not addressed the allegations directly but emphasised that they are committed to patient confidentiality. “We staunchly believe in ensuring the utmost privacy and confidentiality for all our patients, irrespective of their public status,” a hospital official told the publication, adding that Kate was made aware of the alleged incident.
Since the surgery, Kate has been away from official royal engagements, with some reports suggesting that she is recovering at home and is expected to resume her duties after Easter, 31 March.
**Also Read: MIA! Why hasn't Kate Middleton been seen in public for 2 months?**What if the allegations of the breach were true?
Staff at the London Clinic could face enforcement action, including fines and prosecutions if they are found to have accessed the princess’s medical records, a minister said.
Health minister Maria Caulfield told Sky News it was “pretty severe and serious stuff to be accessing notes that you don’t have permission to. She also said police had “been asked to look at” whether staff at the clinic attempted to access the princess’s private medical records.
“The [privacy and data watchdog] information commissioner would take enforcement action against trusts or primary care practices, but also, as individual practitioners, your regulatory body … would take action as well,” she added.
While Caulfield said the incident was “disappointing”, she reassured the public that “there are very strict rules about which patient notes you can access”.
But what is ailing Kate?
Kensington Palace has given little detail about Kate’s condition beyond saying that it wasn’t cancer-related.
Amid rumours and bizarre conspiracy theories about her health, the palace issued a photo taken by her husband William, the heir to the throne, to mark Mother’s Day. But it was retracted by top news agencies, who claimed it was tampered with. Kate admitted to having edited the image but this only sparked further intrigue.
Where is Kate?
In town… apparently.
On Monday, a video published by the Sun newspaper on its website showed the princess walking and carrying shopping bags alongside William at a farm shop in Windsor near their home.
Also read: From Kategate to Megxit: The many controversies of British royal family bahus
Kensington Palace has not denied that the video is genuine but has declined to comment on a matter it regards as the royals’ private time.
With inputs from agencies
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