The Kate photos: When conspiracy theories meet the royals

More than half of people in the UK have seen online conspiracy theories about why the Princess of Wales has been absent from public life, but it hasn't dented trust in the Royal Family, according to Sky News polling.    
 
Speculation on social media about Kate's health and whereabouts have been rife in recent days – despite Kensington Palace announcing she would be recovering from abdominal surgery until Easter – and suspicion has now spread from edited photos including the princess to photos of other members of the Royal Family.  
 
So how has their brush with TikTok conspiracists impacted the royals and does the palace need to rethink its public relations strategy in the age of social media?    

On the Sky News Daily podcast, Niall Paterson speaks to our royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, who has spent the day with Prince William in Sheffield, and to the late Queen's former communications secretary, Simon Lewis, about why he believes time is on the palace's side.  

Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce  
Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott 
Assistant producer: Iona Brunker 
Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles  
Promotion producer: David Chipakupaku  
Editor: Philly Beaumont