Kate Middleton Faces Down Camera Flashes in Viral Video

The Princess of Wales has become the subject of a new viral video after footage showing the royal illuminated by banks of camera flashes at official events has resurfaced on social media site TikTok.

Kate's last public appearance was made on Christmas Day where she joined the royal family for their annual church service and walkabout at Sandringham. On January 17, it was announced that the princess had undergone "planned abdominal surgery" and would not return to public duties until after Easter while she recuperated.

In the absence of any new Kate sightings, royal fans have taken to social media to share highlights from past engagements ranging from posts focused on her famous curtsy to celebrated style moments.

One of the most recent of these posts has focused on several moments in Kate's royal career where she has walked in the face of frenzied camera flashes at events.

Uploaded to TikTok by user queen_elizabeth.ll, on February 17, a compilation of clips showing Kate's arrival at events while facing down press photographers and camera flashes has been viewed over 130,000 times on the platform so far.

Several of the clips included were captured during red carpet events such as the BAFTA Film Awards or the annual Royal Variety Performance, which give fans a rare opportunity to see royalty rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Other clips included show Kate and Prince William attending receptions during royal tours. The couple's most recent formal tour took place in March 2022, where they visited the Caribbean nations of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. The tour was met with both praise and criticism, earning an increase in media interest.

The viral post has received in excess of 11,000 likes and numerous comments, many of which have praised Kate and her regal baring while out at official engagements.

"Beautiful in all ways...the future Queen!" wrote one TikTok user of the princess.

"So classy and stunning, she's amazing!" posted another, with a further comment reading: "Wow the last video is amazing, Future Queen of England."

The final clip included in the video was captured during Kate's annual Christmas Carol Concert held at Westminster Abbey. The "Together at Christmas" service was started in 2021 and is spearheaded by Kate to celebrate communities around Britain and the people she has met through her work and engagements throughout the year.

Though the exact cause of the princess' abdominal surgery last month has not been revealed, Kensington Palace announced on January 29 when she was discharged from The London Clinic that she was making "good progress."

With Kate out of action until at least Easter, another member of the royal family is also currently absent from public appearances—King Charles III.

On February 5, Buckingham Palace announced that the king had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing a schedule of treatment for his illness. Though the monarch is still conducting official state business, he is not currently undertaking public engagements.

In Kate and Charles' place, their spouses have continued as the senior public face of the monarchy. Prince William (after taking time off to support his wife) returned to duties this month, attending the BAFTA Film Awards and engagements connected with the humanitarian efforts being made in the Middle East, while Queen Camilla has continued her schedule of meetings and appearances.

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.