PRINCESS Kate and William were upset by a BBC sports reporter peddling conspiracy theories, a royal expert has said.
Rugby specialist Sonja McLaughlan took to social media after the Princess of Wales, 42, was spotted at the Windsor Farm Shop by The Sun.
The sports broadcaster tweeted: "Could be a couple of lookalikes making mischief.
"Disturbing that some newspapers are reporting this as fact. It's clearly not her."
Just days later Kate put an end to wild speculation when she revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in an emotional video message.
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And royal commentator Dickie Arbiter said the royal duo would have been feeling "upset" and "angry" about Sonja's comments.
The Queen's former aide told The Sun's Royal Exclusive show: "A BBC sports reporter coming out after The Sun released that video.
"She said it was a body double. I mean how outrageous is that just to say that when everyone else is having a conspiracy theory.
"Has there been an apology? Of course not. Has there been an apology from the BBC? Of course not."
Dicky also praised Kate for putting a spotlight on others also going through a cancer diagnosis.
He added: "The fact she swung it away from her and to people who are in the same circumstances, it was an incredible thing to do. Unfortunately it brought an element of negativity.
"We should push that to one side because people who talk negatively about that sort of thing just really need to get a life, they haven't got a life. They need therapy."
Dicky's daughter Victoria added that Princess Kate had shown "grace under fire" through the video.
She added: "The way she delivered it was impeccable."
Dicky said it was "personal" and there was "nothing contrived", adding: "It was spoken deep from the heart."
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GROSS TROLLING
It comes as vile jibes and bullying continues online - with even Harry and Meghan's Netflix "cheerleader" targeting Kate moments after her cancer diagnosis shocked the world.
Christopher Bouzy, who had a starring role in Harry and Meghan's Netflix show, trolled the princess on X/Twitter 31 minutes after her video was released.
The tech mogul, 48, said Kate's illness was stage-managed akin to "North Korean propaganda".
He wrote: "I am sorry to hear Kate has cancer, I hope she has a full recovery.
"But it is also clear that all three earlier photos of her were fake, and the palace tried to cover it up."
Meanwhile, shamed Endgame author Omid Scobie, deleted a tasteless post on Friday showing an alarm clock set for 6pm — the time Kate made her cancer statement.
A former spokesman for William and Kate blasted the hate shown towards the couple.
Paddy Harverson told BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "It's a sort of permanent doom loop. And it's the worst I've ever seen."
Harry and Meghan themselves were not told of Kate's condition before the announcement, because they "can't be trusted", claimed one royal expert.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun: "There's a deep rift between the brothers - that we know.
"We also know that they haven't apparently spoken in many months, and the reason, of course, is that for some four years they've caused endless problems to the Royal Family and so they can't be trusted.
"William hasn't trusted Harry and Meghan and I mean with good reason."
'VERY ASHAMED'
But there are many grovelling celebs now crawling out of the wood work to apologise after spreading 'Katespiracies'.
The bullying and "madness of social media" led to The Sun calling for the world to Lay Off Kate.
Owen Jones and Kerry Katona have shared their regret after fuelling conspiracy theories.
Owen Jones, a left-wing activist and journalist, wrote on X: "As someone who speculated on this without considering it could be a serious health condition, I'm very ashamed to be honest, and all the very best to her."
Meanwhile TV personality Kerry also regretted her previous words.
She told The Sun: "There were so many conspiracy theories. I'll hold my hands up."
Fans have called for Kim Kardashian to say sorry for her "on my way to go find Kate" Instagram post.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers slammed online trolls and said they should be ashamed of themselves.
The 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 rumours 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.
"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."
BRAVE KATE
Kate shared in her statement on Friday evening: "In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought my condition was non cancerous.
"The surgery was successful.
"However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.
"My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
"This of course came as a huge shock."
The princess continued: "It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.
"As I have said to them; I am well and I’m getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind body and spirit."
The royal also thanked her husband Prince William for his support.
The diagnosis was the reason that William pulled out of a thanksgiving service at Windsor last month for a "personal matter", it is understood.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed Kate started a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February and is now on a "recovery pathway".
They were unable to say when chemotherapy treatment will end and said Kate had spoke to the King.
The Palace also confirmed Prince William will continue to "balance supporting his wife and family and maintaining his official duties as he has done since the start of the year".
The spokesperson added: "The Princess wanted to share this information when she and The Prince felt it was right for them as a family.
"The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery."
HEART-TO-HEART WITH CHARLES
A source claimed Kate had a heart-to-heart with King Charles, 75, at Windsor Castle before sharing the emotional announcement.
The monarch, who also has also been diagnosed with cancer, travelled from London for a private lunch with his "beloved daughter-in-law" on Thursday.
It is believed the royals discussed the mum-of-three's video and the princess was said to be encourage by the support her father-in-law received.
A source told The Times: "A factor in their decision to go public would have been the great warmth and affection received by the King as a result of his announcement."
The princess also chose to delay releasing the information to protect her children.
Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, had already broken up from school and were with their parents when the video was posted.
Sun editor Victoria Newton told BBC1's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "It was actually, I understand, that the Princess made the decision two weeks ago that she was going to do this public statement.
"The key thing for her as a mother, the priority was protecting those three children."
Floods of support has poured in since the shocking news, with well-wishers leaving flowers at Windsor Castle for the royal.
Dame Deborah James's parents also sent their love to the mum-of-three, praising her bravery and urging her to "hold on to rebellious hope".
The family said they believe her statement would inspire many more people to get checked for cancer — and save lives.
