The hospital where Kate Middleton was treated was at the center of a major security scandal tonight after staff tried to access her personal medical records.
Bosses at the London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales underwent a planned abdominal operation in January, launched the investigation after it was alleged that at least one staff member had tried to access the royal family’s notes.
This is what a hospital insider says‘This is a major breach of security and incredibly damaging to the hospital, given the hospital’s unblemished record of treating members of the Royal Family.
‘Senior hospital bosses contacted Kensington Palace immediately after the incident was brought to their attention and assured the palace that there would be a full investigation.
“The entire medical staff is utterly shocked and distraught over the allegations and deeply hurt that a trusted colleague could have been responsible for such a breach of trust and ethics.”
A massive security breach has taken place at the hospital where Kate Middleton was treated after staff were reportedly accused of trying to access her personal medical records
The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales was treated after abdominal surgery, first opened in 1932. Above: Police outside the hospital today as Kate undergoes treatment
Kate is said to be aware of the alleged incident, with a Kensington Palace spokesperson saying: ‘This is a matter for the London Clinic.’
It is a criminal offense for staff in an NHS or private healthcare environment to access a patient’s medical records without permission from the medical provider’s data controller.
The Met Police told MailOnline it could not comment without knowing whether the clinic had reported the incident to police.
The London clinic declined to speak about the claims, but told the mirror she believes “that all of our patients, regardless of status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality with respect to their medical information.”
There was no response to queries from MailOnline about whether any staff had been suspended pending the investigation.
The clinic also did not respond when first notified of the alleged security breach.
The investigation comes amid a tsunami of speculation on social media about the princess. unknown health condition, which Kensington Palace said would be out of action until afterward Easter.
Baseless and hurtful conspiracy theories spreading about her online include that she is dead, has been replaced by a body double or that Wales’ marriage is in trouble.
The absurd claims only increased when the princess took the blame for the family photo released by Kensington Palace on Mother’s Day, which was ‘killed’ by six of the world’s top photo agencies over concerns it had been ‘doctored’.
The London clinic declined to comment on the claims, but told the newspaper that it firmly believes “that all our patients, regardless of their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information.”
Kensington Palace has released a photo of the Princess of Wales since the operation
Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in Norfolk in 2022
The social media furor prompted the princess to issue a personal apology to X, writing: “Like many amateur photographers, I occasionally experiment with editing.”
The hospital’s investigation comes just days after videos and photos emerged on Monday of Kate and Prince William visiting a farm shop in Windsor.
It showed a smiling Kate carrying a shopping bag as she quickly walked out of the shop, a mile away from their Adelaide Cottage.
While the film brought relief to millions of people in Britain – suggesting the princess’s recovery is on track – crazed trolls took to social media claiming the video wasn’t Kate, but a body double.
The breach of hospital security is not the first time the princess has faced public disclosure of otherwise private medical records.
In 2012, two Australian radio DJs posed as the Queen and Prince Charles in a prank on staff at King Edward VII’s Hospital, where Kate was being treated for acute morning sickness.
Unable to understand their impressions, night nurse Jacintha Saldanha connected them to a nurse who helped treat the Duchess.
The stunt, which provided information about Kate’s medical condition, was broadcast in full. But it became a tragedy when mother-of-two Mrs Saldanha was found hanged three days later.
The incident – and its tragic consequences – were known to have had a major impact on the royal couple. In a letter to Ms Saldanha’s family, William said they felt it was ‘such a shame that someone who cared so much for others found themselves in such a desperate situation.’
Kate, Charlotte, George, William and Louis at the service on Christmas Day 2023 at Sandringham
Queen Elizabeth II leaves the London Clinic after visiting her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on June 15, 2013
The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales was treated earlier this year, first opened its doors in 1932.
The illustrious list of previous patients includes Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor and future US President John F. Kennedy.
The clinic has a leading form of cancer center where patients are accommodated for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments.
Since the 1980s, a number of facilities at the site have been officially launched by members of the Royal Family.
The King, as then Prince of Wales, opened the physiotherapy department in 1989, while Princess Margaret launched the MRI unit in 1991 and the late Queen unveiled a new cancer unit in 2010.
Prince Philip was admitted to the clinic in 2013 for what was described as an ‘abdominal examination’, while Princess Margaret was treated there in 1980 to have a benign skin lesion removed.
In 1947, Kennedy, then a US congressman, was diagnosed with Addison’s disease in the clinic.
Taylor underwent knee surgery there in January 1963 after falling on a film set.
Other former patients include former Labor Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who was admitted for surgery on his prostate in 1939 – when he was Leader of the Opposition.
Another former prime minister, the Conservative Anthony Eden, had his gallbladder removed at the London Clinic in 1953 when he was Foreign Secretary.
Current Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016, was born there in 1966.
