Keeping tabs on the comings and goings of the British Royals isn't high on the list of popular American pastimes. What we are is a nation of true crime hounds addicted to missing white woman anxiety, especially if the gone girl is wealthy and slightly famous. If she's also connected to a messy family, go ahead and sign us up for the full subscription.
All of that still only partly explains why Kate Middleton’s months-long absence from public view has captivated America’s social media conspiracists, photo manipulation gumshoes and all purpose rubberneckers. It's an odd preoccupation until you remember that we're a nation who went from zero to #FreeBritney in the running time of a documentary. Kate may be Catherine, Princess of Wales, but she's also a mother and wife devoted to whatever royals do when they're not attending ribbon cutting ceremonies.
