Recent questions surrounding Kate Middletons whereabouts have led royal-watchers to reflect on the way Meghan Markle has been treated as a public figure and in the media.

The Duchess of Sussex has, for years, been outspoken about being on the receiving end of relentless and racist attacks from social media users and the U.K. press . Many people on X, formerly Twitter, have in recent weeks compared that onslaught to the way the Princess of Wales has been covered the past few months, amid skepticism surrounding her withdrawal from public view.

Kate hasnt been photographed in an official public appearance since December. Kensington Palace announced in January that she underwent a planned abdominal surgery and was unlikely to return to her public duties until after Easter.

Since then, speculation about Kates whereabouts and well-being have run rampant on social media.