During the March 25 episode of “The Late Show,” Stephen Colbert addressed Kate Middleton’s recent announcement about her cancer diagnosis and impending chemotherapy, expressing a sense of remorse.
Colbert acknowledged the criticism he faced for joking about Middleton’s disappearance from public life before her diagnosis was made public. However, he stopped short of offering a direct apology for those jokes.
Reflecting on his comedic approach, Colbert remarked, “We do a lot of shows. I tell a lot of jokes. I tell jokes about a lot of different things, mostly about what everybody is talking about.” He explained that the mystery surrounding Middleton’s absence had been a prominent topic for weeks, prompting jokes on his show about it.
While acknowledging the upset caused by his earlier remarks, Colbert emphasized his commitment to not trivializing others’ tragedies. He stated, “I do not make light of somebody else’s tragedy,” recognizing the gravity of a cancer diagnosis and its impact on individuals and families.
Colbert expressed uncertainty about Middleton’s prognosis but emphasized the challenging nature of any cancer diagnosis, conveying well-wishes for her recovery. He extended these sentiments on behalf of himself and his team at “The Late Show.”
The host seemed to be addressing specific jokes made during the March 13 episode, where he speculated about Middleton’s absence being linked to allegations of her husband’s infidelity.
Since Middleton’s announcement of her diagnosis on March 22, numerous celebrities, including Blake Lively, have publicly expressed regret for joking or speculating about her situation prior to the revelation of her illness.
Colbert’s acknowledgment of the situation on his show reflects a broader trend of public figures expressing remorse for making light of Middleton’s circumstances before her cancer diagnosis came to light.