Senior government officials fear that hostile powers are behind the spread of conspiracy theories and rumors on social media about the health of the Princess of Wales.

Last Friday, March 22, the wife of Prince William, the heir to the throne, announced her diagnosis of cancer. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak soon intervened and condemned those spreading conspiracy theories about the princess, but this did not stop further heated comments. Kate has been repeatedly criticized for not publicly disclosing her diagnosis sooner.

Princess of Wales / Photo: Associated Press

It later emerged that there was growing concern in Whitehall that hostile politicians may be involved in fueling the fierce attacks on the princess on social media. Here's what a government source told The Telegraph:

"Part of the modus operandi of hostile states is to destabilize the situation - whether that undermines the legitimacy of our elections or other institutions."

Princess of Wales Kate / Photo: Associated Press

It comes as Downing Street prepares to announce new sanctions on China following a wave of state-backed cyber attacks against a group of senior MPs and peers. The first UK sanctions against Chinese government officials were announced in 2021 for "systematic" human rights violations against minority groups. And last month, Great Britain introduced a wave of sanctions against Chinese companies accused of helping Russia in its war with Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales and her family are currently on holiday at their Anmer Hall estate in Norfolk. We are unlikely to see Kate at public events until at least the summer.

Kate and William with children / Photo: Getty Images