Fresh anguish for Kensington Palace as US media outlet continues to peddle outrageous conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton with new documentary

The Princess of Wales faced fresh anguish today after an American broadcaster aired a series of outrageous conspiracy theories about her operation and recovery.

The 'TMZ Investigates: Where Is Kate Middleton' documentary was on Fox last night, looking into her 'sudden disappearance' following abdominal surgery in January.

The show heard from broadcaster Piers Morgan and Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell, while a US surgeon speculated on the procedure she might have had.

Kate's absence from public life as she convalesces has led to wild theories which are gathering pace despite her being photographed four times in less than three weeks.

A picture published online on March 4, showing her as a front seat passenger in a car driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, and another image of the princess sitting beside her husband in a car leaving Windsor on March 11 did not dispel rumours.

The 'TMZ Investigates: Where Is Kate Middleton ' documentary was on Fox in the US last night

The show heard from broadcaster Piers Morgan who spoke about what sources had told him

The online speculation increased after irregularities were spotted in an official Mother's Day photograph of Kate and her children, which led to the Princess admitting to 'editing' the image and apologising for any 'confusion' caused.

Social media users had their own theories about a video that emerged this week on TMZ and The Sun of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop following a visit last Saturday.

Now, the TMZ documentary will cause yet another headache for Kensington Palace as rumours about the Princess continue to build.  

A trailer for the programme, which aired on Fox at 9pm Eastern Time last night (1am UK time this morning), was accompanied by a dramatic voiceover.

This said: 'A TMZ exclusive – it's the royal scandal that's rocked the world - from the Princess's absence… to... cover ups.'

During the trailer, Morgan was heard saying: 'It wouldn't shock me if she had had some kind of breakdown.'

And Burrell added: 'Without Kate, the Royal Family is finished.'

Princess Diana 's former butler Paul Burrell said the Royal Family 'is finished' without Kate

Dr George Crawford, a general surgeon in Alabama affiliated with RMC-Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, also appeared in the show and speculated over what operation Kate might have had

A further clip contained a longer segment from Morgan, who said: 'Now I've been told by my sources, good sources within the Royal Family, that she went in for a pre-planned operation for a condition which she decided to have sorted, and that during the process of that they may have found something else that needed treating as well.'

Dr George Crawford, a general surgeon in Alabama affiliated with RMC-Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, also appeared in the documentary.

He speculated over what operation Kate might have had, adding: 'For two weeks I'm thinking that she had something that probably wasn't expected.'

Details of Kate's condition have not been disclosed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that the princess wished for her personal medical information to remain private.

Earlier this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer voiced concerns about the intense public scrutiny around the Princess, telling people to 'butt out and leave her alone'.

Sir Keir spoke about the issue following claims made by the Daily Mirror newspaper that up to three people could have been involved in trying to access Kate's private medical records after her surgery.

March 11: Prince William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car 

March 10: Kensington Palace released the first picture of Kate since her abdominal surgery

December 25, 2023: Kate was last seen with her family attending church at Sandringham 

Speculation and conspiracy theories about the princess's whereabouts and status of her health have been rife on social media, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby described the interest as 'village gossip' and 'wrong'.

The King, who has cancer, was treated for an enlarged prostate at the private London Clinic where Kate received her medical treatment, but Charles's medical records were not accessed in the alleged breach.

The UK's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), is looking into the allegation of an attempted data breach at the hospital and is in the process of assessing the information.

On Wednesday, the London Clinic vowed that 'all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken' over any breach.

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for comment about the TMZ documentary.