WILLIAM & KATE - DIVORCE BOMBSHELL

The mystery surrounding Kate Middleton grows as Prince William's cheating rumors explode - and roval watchers fear the worst

The photos only fueled the fire. After months of hiding following her surprise surgery, Princess Kate was pictured three times in one week in early March. But rather than reassure her supporters, the two blurry shots of her riding in cars and one posed portrait with her kids which she was quickly forced to admit she photoshopped-coupled with Prince William's abrupt withdrawal from a royal family memorial service in February and the palace's cagey statements, "have sparked wild speculation," says a source. 

"Everything from botched plastic surgery to the deployment of secret body doubles has been mentioned as the mystery surrounding her disappearance escalates." One theory, in particular, has taken hold. "There's fear that William and Kate's marriage is in crisis," says the source. While the embattled Princess of Wales suffers through an extremely difficult recovery, new whispers of her husband's cheating are circulating all on the eve of the 13th anniversary of their fairy-tale wedding on April 29.

"Kate has gone so far as to take her ring off," says the source. "It's all anyone can talk about, and it has palace insiders openly pondering the unthinkable that the marriage may be over."

REIGNITED SCANDAL