The hospital where Kate Middleton was treated was at the centre of a huge security scandal tonight after reports staff attempted to access her private medical records.
Bosses of The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales underwent planned abdominal surgery in January, launched the investigation after it was claimed at least one member of staff tried to access the royal’s notes.
One insider told the Mirror: ‘This is a major security breach and incredibly damaging for the hospital, given its unblemished reputation for treating members of the Royal Family.
‘Senior hospital bosses contacted Kensington Palaceimmediately after the incident was brought to their attention and assured the palace there would be a full investigation.
‘The whole medical staff have been left utterly shocked and distraught over the allegations and were very hurt that a trusted colleague could have allegedly been responsible for such a breach of trust and ethics.’
Kate is said to be aware of the alleged incident while a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: ‘This is a matter for the London Clinic.’
It is a criminal offence for staff in any NHS or private healthcare setting to access the medical records of a patient without the consent of the medical provider’s data controller.
The Met Police have been contacted by MailOnline but did not immediately respond to the allegations.
A huge security breach has taken place at the hospital where Kate Middleton was treated after staff were reportedly accused of attempting to access her private medical records
The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales was treated after undergoing abdominal surgery, first opened its doors in 1932. Above: Police outside the hospital today as Kate undergoes treatement
The probe comes amid a tsunami of speculation was made about the Princess’ unknown health condition, that Kensington Palace said would see her out of action until after Easter.
Baseless and hurtful conspiracy theories being spread about her online included that she is dead, has been replaced by a body double or the Wales’ marriage is in trouble.
The hospital’s investigation comes after videos and pictures emerged on Monday of Kate and Prince William attending a farm shop in Windsor.
The London clinic refused to comment on the claims but said told the paper it firmly believes ‘that all our patients, no matter their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information’.
Kate, Charlotte, George, William and Louis at the Sandringham Christmas Day 2023 service
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.
Its 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 cancer centre which hosts patients 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 the 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 for what was described as ‘abdominal investigations’ in 2013, whilst Princess Margaret was treated there in 1980 to have a benign skin lesion removed.
In 1947, Kennedy, who was then a US Congressman, was diagnosed with Addison’s disease at the clinic.
Taylor underwent a knee operation there in January 1963 after falling on a film set.
Other former patients include former Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who was admitted in 1939 – when he was Leader of the Opposition – for surgery on his prostate.
Another former PM, Conservative Anthony Eden, had his gall bladder removed at The London Clinic in 1953, when he was Foreign Secretary.
Current Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was PM from 2010 until 2016, was born there in 1966.