It was supposed to be a very personal and emotional day for the Prince of Wales.
The memorial service for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, was to be held at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
But with less than an hour to go before the start of the service, Prince William pulled out of the engagement for unknown "personal" reasons.
Along with the announcement came an update on the Princess of Wales, who we are assured is "doing well" at home.
This was an unprecedented no-show, and one that will do more to fuel the rumour mill rather than quell it.
What is the mysterious reason that caused Prince William to miss his own godfather's memorial service? Perhaps an emergency related to one of his children or a health issue himself.
Only a few hours later, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
However, sources have said that his death was not linked to the absence of Prince William from the memorial service. We haven't seen the Prince of Wales in public since his visit to the Red Cross headquarters in London on Feb. 20.
Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales remains conspicuously absent. She was last seen on Dec. 25, alongside the rest of the Royal Family, at St Mary Magdalene Church near Sandringham where she greeted well-wishers.
It's been 40 days since her abdominal surgery and royal watchers the world over have been waiting for a picture, or even a whisper, that indicates her recovery is going well.
Last week, she took some time to go to Norfolk, England, with the rest of her family over the school holidays, but the updates have been few and verging on non-existent.
Compare this to the King, who after his cancer diagnosis has been seen travelling to London for treatment, attending church near Sandringham, meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and pictured enjoying get well soon cards and gifts sent to him by members of the public.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, and William, the Prince of Wales, arrive behind King Charles III and Queen Camilla to attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
There's no doubt that the fact that we haven't seen the Princess of Wales for the better part of two months is strange to say the least, but how sinister you think this is depends on how prone you are to believing conspiracy theories.
Take a trip down the "Where is Kate Middleton?" rabbit hole on X, formerly known as Twitter, and you will emerge believing that she has, in fact, been abducted by aliens and will have you demanding a proof of life photo op quicker than you can say, "She's actually known as the Princess of Wales now."
There are boundless anecdotes of serious surgeries that X users have had that got them up and about in no time – so what could possibly be keeping the Princess of Wales off work for three months or more?
Team that with the school of thought that if the Princess of Wales could pose for pictures in front of the world's photographers on the steps of the Lindo Wing, only hours after giving birth, why couldn't she walk out of hospital with a wee wave for the press?
Let's not forget the European press who have been having a field day with this story.
The Spanish tabloids have been identified as one of the main culprits in spreading false information. A few weeks back, an article written by journalist Concha Calleja claimed that the princess was in a coma, a statement that was refuted by the palace. However, Calleja continues to stand by her story.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the popular conspiracy theory that European tabloids have access to information that the British press does not, due to a secret agreement with the palace.
So, could Prince William's absence today be linked to a relapse in the Princess of Wales' health? Kensington Palace certainly doesn't want us to think so, hence why they were quick to qualify the statement of Prince William's absence with the fact that his wife continues to recover well at home.
But the palace, which is usually a leaky tap at the best of times, is remaining ultra-tight lipped on the Princess of Wales and her health.
The privacy that she requested at the time of her surgery is certainly being adhered to, in a fashion we are not used to with royal communications. The limited information we were given in January about the Princess of Wales' health isn't aging well – the people want more.
So, when can we expect to see the Princess of Wales out and about on royal manoeuvres?
Well, we were told in the initial statement released by Kensington Palace at the time of her hospitalization that she wouldn't be back in public until after Easter, so we can't expect to see her until March 31 at the very earliest.
The thing is, until we see her, and have that "proof of life" picture, the speculation isn't going anywhere. The rumour mill is working overtime, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Anyone who has a Gen-Z person in their life is likely familiar with the popular social media app TikTok, but a new bill in the U.S. may soon take it off of the American market.
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
U.S. President Joe Biden is out to win votes by scoring some laughs at the expense of Donald Trump, unleashing mockery with the goal of getting under the former president's thin skin and reminding the country of his blunders.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Quebec is investing $603 million over the next five years to counter what its French-language minister describes as the decline of the French language in the province.
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Ukraine's troops have been forced to make a tactical retreat from three villages in the embattled east, the country's army chief said Sunday, warning of a worsening battlefield situation as Ukrainian forces wait for much-needed arms from a huge U.S. aid package to reach combat zones.
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
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One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Laurentian University's board of governors approved a budget of just over $201.7 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Out of more than 9,000 entries from over 2,000 breweries in 50 countries, a handful of B.C. brews landed on the podium at the World Beer Cup this week.
Several students have launched an encampment at McGill University as they call on the institution to cut financial ties with Israel.
U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.
A teenage gunman wounded 10 people when he opened fire early Sunday after fighting broke out during a private event at a Florida party venue, authorities said.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing party, stung by an extensive slush funds scandal, appeared to have lost all three seats in Sunday's parliamentary byelections, according to media exit polls and preliminary results.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Cambodia on Sunday for a three-day official visit to reaffirm ties with Beijing’s closest ally in Southeast Asia. His visit is the last stop on a three-nation regional swing that also took him to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
The German parliament voted Thursday to introduce an annual national “veterans' day” to honor people who have served in the military, which often has struggled to gain recognition in the country.
A funeral was held Sunday for 20 soldiers who died at an army base in southwestern Cambodia in a huge explosion of stored munitions that also wounded several others and damaged nearby houses.
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals' latest budget, which he's pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Quebec is investing $603 million over the next five years to counter what its French-language minister describes as the decline of the French language in the province.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
The number of measles cases around the world nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, researchers say, presenting a challenge to efforts to achieve and maintain elimination status in many countries.
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Anyone who has a Gen-Z person in their life is likely familiar with the popular social media app TikTok, but a new bill in the U.S. may soon take it off of the American market.
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
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Quebec singing star and cultural icon Jean-Pierre Ferland died on Saturday at the age of 89.
Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but pretty much everyone who took the stage at the presentation of the AFI Life Achievement Award agreed: "Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better."
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
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The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
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Employees increasingly find that robust workplace volunteer programs meet their desires for in-person connections, professional growth and altruistically inclined employers — career objectives that might be missing in conventional corporate atmospheres.
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Three-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Candace Parker announced on social media that her career was over on Sunday after 16 seasons.
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Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Ford’s electric vehicle unit reported that losses soared in the first quarter to US $1.3 billion, or US$132,000 for each of the 10,000 vehicles it sold in the first three months of the year.
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As if a 4-0 Edmonton Oilers lead in Game 1 of their playoff series with the Los Angeles Kings wasn't good enough, what was announced at Rogers Place during the next TV timeout nearly blew the roof off the downtown arena.
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Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
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Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews has been sidelined by a "lingering illness" as Toronto stares down playoff elimination.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Calgary police are investigating after a hit-and-run Saturday afternoon in Bridgeland that left a pedestrian hospitalized with serious, life-altering injuries.
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks threw a pretty catchy party Saturday night.
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Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Quebec is investing $603 million over the next five years to counter what its French-language minister describes as the decline of the French language in the province.
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A man is dead after he reportedly lost control of his motorcycle in Strathcona County Saturday night.
A rally was held Sunday for the dozens of Albertans who died last year as a result of their job.
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A 38-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after a homicide in New Brunswick on Saturday.
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Workers at group homes run by LutherCare Communities in Saskatoon are escalating their strike action.
On Saturday, in a display of cross-cultural solidarity, members of the Indigenous and Palestinian communities gathered in Saskatoon for an event steeped in prayer and dance.
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Environment Canada has lifted the thunderstorm watches issued on Saturday for northeastern Ontario – however, has since issued special weather statements warning of freezing rain from Chapleau, Ont. to Sturgeon Lake, Ont. beginning Monday.
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
A Barrie driver was travelling more than 50km/h over the speed limit on Highway 69 south of Greater Sudbury.
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
The London Knights have taken a 2-0 series lead on the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL Western Conference Final after a 3-1 win Sunday. The 10-0 start to the playoffs is the best in franchise history during the internet era.
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A solemn occasion to mark the lives lost and workers injured on the job took place in Orillia on Sunday.
Police and search and rescue crews in Gravenhurst are trying to locate a man after reports of a possible drowning.
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Since 2014, the Rotary Club of LaSalle Centennial has been holding its annual Big Hats High Tea fundraiser. The event returned Sunday at the Essex Golf and Country Club.
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Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
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J.T. Miller had a goal and assist and the Vancouver Canucks edged the Nashville Predators 2-1 to re-take the lead in their first-round playoff series.
Out of more than 9,000 entries from over 2,000 breweries in 50 countries, a handful of B.C. brews landed on the podium at the World Beer Cup this week.
An emaciated dachshund is now recovering thanks to a Good Samaritan who found the pup near a biking trail in Kelowna, according to the BC SPCA.
Search and rescue crews have been called in after a vehicle belonging to a missing senior was located near a rural intersection outside of Kelowna Tuesday.
The Brooks Bandits got down to business Friday, defeating the Okotoks Oilers 8-2.
An Alberta political scientist said the NDP leadership hopefuls remained fairly even following the first of the party’s debates.
It was a busy Wednesday evening for fire crews in Lethbridge County after multiple grass fires were sparked near the Kipp rail yard.
St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake says it is moving towards “normalcy” by transitioning to a mask-friendly policy.
Environment Canada has lifted the thunderstorm watches issued on Saturday for northeastern Ontario – however, has since issued special weather statements warning of freezing rain from Chapleau, Ont. to Sturgeon Lake, Ont. beginning Monday.
About 100 delegates from around the province travelled to Timmins, Ont., for its annual general meeting and convention at Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa.
Legendary sportscaster Bob Cole was a Newfoundlander through and through, and his daughter says his connection to the province was 'everything' to him.
Cenovus Energy has been ordered to pay a $2.5-million fine for its role in the largest offshore oil spill ever recorded in Newfoundland and Labrador.
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
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