By James Matthews, US correspondent
It’s extraordinary. Like, extraordinary.
In the United States, “KateGate” is a powerful drug to the influencer generation falling over itself in “EMERGENCY EPISODES!” of nudge-wink YouTube specials on what happened, where she is and “I wonder what Meghan Markle’s saying about it”.
In a land that loves a conspiracy theory, like and subscribe for the one with Kate riding Shergar, chasing Lord Lucan through the forests of Narnia, etc.
It’s okay to Photoshop now, after all.
“There’s a non-zero chance she died 18 months ago,” cracked comedian John Oliver on Bravo Watch What Happens Live!
“Where’s Kate” is the big gag on this side of the Atlantic – all the talk, on-screen and on the street.
Being a Briton in the nation’s capital, Washington DC, is to carry a weight of responsibility for the whole thing, though guilt’s probably more the word – the guilt at not knowing what’s up with Kate.
Americans demand the inside track from us – as if, with this soap opera, we’re several episodes ahead.
In my need-to-know neighbourhood, one resident stopped me to ask last week, the same one who had offered sympathy when the King was diagnosed with cancer. “Why didn’t I just call and ask” was the tone.
In the city of Watergate, one of my US journalist colleagues sidled up at lunch.
“What about Kate, though?” he whispered.
“I couldn’t tell you, sorry.”
He nodded, polite but reeking disappointment. Another one let down and it felt, suddenly, a bit Woodbine and Beerstain.