As Kate Middleton continues to be the source of feverish speculation about her retreat from public view, following major abdominal surgery surgery for an undisclosed condition, her mother is reportedly “infuriated” that her “black-sheep” brother, Kate’s uncle, is set to appear on the U.K. reality TV show, “Celebrity Big Brother.”
A source told The Sun that Carole Middleton fears that her brother, Gary Goldsmith, could spill royal secrets as he appears on the new season of “Celebrity Big Brother,” which premieres Monday night, march 4, in the U.K.
The Sun reported that Buckingham Palace also is said to be “anxious” about what Goldsmith might say about the royal family, and especially about his niece, the Princess of Wales, who has been out of the public eye since Christmas Day, recovering at home from a surgery that took place in early January.
ENGLEFIELD GREEN, ENGLAND – MAY 20: Gary Goldsmith (L), uncle of the bride attends the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark’s Church on May 20, 2017 in Englefield Green, England. (Photo by Justin Tallis – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“Gary said he’s been read the riot act by Kate’s mum Carole and her dad Michael,” a source told The Sun. “They aren’t happy he’s going into ‘Celebrity Big Brother.’ It is infuriating for them. Kate doesn’t need this stress.”
But those close to Goldsmith told The Sun that he’d only “speak fondly” about his niece, the future queen. He attended her royal wedding to Prince William in 2011, though he’s since become known as “the black sheep” of his family, the insider told The Sun.
“Carole is his sister, so there will always be love, but they no longer see eye-to-eye on lots of things,” the insider said. Goldsmith also has admitted that he doesn’t have his sister’s blessing to go into the house for “Big Brother”, but he is “going full steam ahead anyway.”
Goldsmith’s appearance on “Celebrity Big Brother” comes at a particularly sensitive time for the royal family, with King Charles III undergoing treatment for cancer and refraining from public-facing duties, and Kate likewise sidelined from royal engagements until at least Easter, according to Kensington Palace. Kate was last seen in public on Christmas Day.
Michael and Carole Middleton arrive at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023, ahead of the coronations of Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Camilla, (Photo by ANDREW MILLIGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Concerns about her health erupted on social media last week when Prince William, for “personal” reasons, suddenly ducked out of a planned appearance last Tuesday for the funeral of his godfather, King Constantine of Hellenes. But palace sources insisted that William’s absence had nothing to do with his wife’s health. Still, the palace’s refusal to release much information about her medical procedure has led to the princess becoming the subject of conjecture, concern and conspiracy theories, the New York Times said.
News also broke last week of the tragic death of Thomas Kingston, a member of the royal family by marriage. The 45-year-old was the husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston, the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Kingston died Feb. 25 of an apparent suicide, according to an inquest released Friday, ABC News reported. In a statement announcing Kingston’s death, Buckingham Palace said there were “no suspicious circumstances” around his death and “no other parties involved.”
With regard to Kate’s errant uncle, he has previously been embroiled in scandal, including a domestic violence allegation involving his fourth wife and trouble at an IT company he launched, The Sun reported.
Goldsmith said he knows what he is doing by going on “Celebrity Big Brother” and has told his friends that he’d “never do anything to hurt his family,” according to The Sun. If Goldsmith shares any gossip about the royal family, he’s likely to target Kate’s renegade in-laws, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are more than likely going to be in the firing line as Gary has made no secret about how little he likes them,” the source explained. According to The Sun, Goldsmith blasted Harry last year, following the release of his memoir “Spare,” which described the Duke of Sussex’s acrimonious departure from royal life in 2020. Harry also detailed the breakdown in his relationship with his brother, William, and alleged that Kate made Meghan cry in the women’s notorious conflict over the fitting for bridesmaids’ dresses ahead of Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding.
According to The Sun, Goldsmith excoriated “Spare” in October: “I’m particularly appalled by his vile confection of half-truths and complete fabrications because Kate is my adored niece,” he said.
“Kate is self-sufficient, resourceful and extremely capable,” Goldsmith added: “She is not a drama queen.”