Featured Image Credit: YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Royal Family, Kate Middleton, Health, Cancer, Reddit
Britt Jones
Topics: Royal Family, Kate Middleton, Health, Cancer, Reddit
Royal fans have been left upset after hearing about what Operation Reading Bridge means in regard to Kate Middleton.
Middleton returned to Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, where she was previously treated for cancer earlier this year.
As an important member of the Royal Family, the news of Kate’s shock cancer diagnosis rocked the world.
The mother-of-three announced online that she had been receiving chemotherapy treatments in a touching video last year.
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She received major abdominal surgery and spent two weeks in hospital before recuperating at home.
She first broke the news of her cancer diagnosis two months later, following mass speculation from the public regarding where she was after having been absent from royal events for some time.
Thankfully, her update revealed she'd concluded chemotherapy, and was now on the path to recovering.
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However, what would have happened if she had not recovered at all?
Sadly, Buckingham Palace had to consider the possibility of her not recovering, which led to the creation of Operation Reading Bridge.
According to a book by royal commentator Bertrand Deckers, the protocol was reportedly chosen by Prince William as a tribute to where Kate grew up.
Deckers called the operation name ‘almost a declaration of love’ between Prince William and his wife.
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People who found out this piece of information were understandably upset, with many taking to Reddit to hash it out.
Mostly, they were horrified that pre-emptive death planning was a thing.
One person began the post with: “wtf - Buckingham Palace Drafts 'Operation Reading Bridge' in Case of Kate Middleton's Death: Report.”
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While it might be ‘wtf’ for them, others found it quite responsible to plan ahead.
Someone commented: “From what I've read about the Royal Family this is normal protocol. They don't want to be scrambling at the last minute. AND the focus of this pre-planning usually has input or complete control. I imagine it has to have the approval of the monarch and the government, since some of the bucks paying for this comes from the people, who pay taxes.”
Another user wrote: “I don’t find this particularly shocking, I assume that have this in place for all of them once they reach a certain age, presumably 18, maybe 16.”
A third shared: “Honestly, that's the responsible adult thing to do. You plan for your family member's death so you're not left in shock, mourning, and trying to plan for the eventuality that the people you love are going to die. Pretty sure there are plans related to every royal family member's death. This isn't morbid, it's just the reality of being an adult.”
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It was reported that on the same day the plan was drafted up for Kate, she resumed her royal duties and had an 'early years meeting' at Windsor Castle.
The engagement was part of a quiet return to work after her three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, were on a break from school.