Princess Kate 'security breach' as hospital staff 'attempted to view' her private medical records after surgery
19 March 2024, 21:05 | Updated: 19 March 2024, 22:56
Staff members at the hospital that treated the Princess of Wales for her abdominal surgery attempted to view her private medical records, it has been reported.
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The London Clinic's staff were said to be distraught by the attempt by their colleagues to view Kate's personal records.
At least one staff member was involved, with a probe over the confidentiality breach being launched in January, according to the Mirror.
The exclusive hospital in Marylebone, central London, is frequently used by the royals as well as other high-profile individuals, politicians, and celebrities.
“This is a major security breach and incredibly damaging for the hospital, given its unblemished reputation for treating members of the Royal Family," a source told the paper.
Hospital chiefs contacted the Palace over the incident, and assured they would launch a full investigation, the insider said.
"The whole medical staff have been left utterly shocked and distraught over the allegations and were very hurt that a trusted colleague could have allegedly been responsible for such a breach of trust and ethics," they added.
It is a criminal offence for medical staff to access private medical records without the consent of a patient or data controller.
The paper said the Met Police did not confirm if they were involved in the probe, or if they had launched an official investigation.
Despite refusing to comment on the allegation, the London Clinic said their patients deserve "total privacy and confidentiality" - "no matter their status".
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It comes after the Princess of Wales was filmed smiling alongside her husband during a visit to a farm shop in Windsor.
Kate's recovery from surgery appears to have progressed after footage obtained by The Sun showed her and William at the local business on Saturday.
In the video the princess can be seen with her hair down, wearing a black jacket and leggings, chatting with William and carrying a large white bag.
The Windsor Farm Shop is a short drive from their Adelaide Cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle. People flock to the shop, which was the idea of the late Duke of Edinburgh, to buy locally sourced goods and produce from the royal estates.
Kate's absence from public life, following abdominal surgery on January 16, has led to wild conspiracy theories on social media about her whereabouts and health.
Details of her condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.
The online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in a Mother's Day photograph of Kate and her children, which led to the princess admitting to "editing" the image and apologising for any "confusion" caused.
The future Queen has been photographed in public twice since her operation. In a picture published on March 4, she was a front-seat passenger in a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, in the Windsor area.
She was also spotted sitting next to William in a chauffeur-driven car last Monday, when he attended the Commonwealth Day service in London and she was driven to a private appointment.
