Stephen Colbert, who recirculated rumors that a royal affair was linked to Kate Middleton's public absence, said he jokes about 'what everybody is talking about'

• Late-night host Stephen Colbert wished Kate Middleton well in her battle with cancer Monday night.
• Colbert's remarks came after he amplified unsubstantiated theories about Kate's public absence.

Stephen Colbert offered his "well wishes" to Kate Middleton while she undergoes treatment for cancer, two weeks after he lent credence to conspiracy theories about her public absence.

Colbert, 59, responded to Kate's cancer diagnosis on Monday night's episode of "The Late Show." On March 12, the late-night TV show host bolstered speculation that Kate's absence from the public eye was related to an unsubstantiated rumor that Prince William was having an affair with British noblewoman Sarah Rose Hanbury.

Colbert's jokes about the affair rumors, which Hanbury denied to Business Insider via her lawyers, further motivated social-media users to discuss them on X, formerly Twitter.

Colbert appeared somber while addressing his prior jokes on Monday night.

"I tell jokes about a lot of different things, mostly what everybody is talking about," he said, adding that for the last few months, people have been discussing the "mystery of Kate Middleton's disappearance from public life."

He acknowledged that the jokes "upset some people" even before Kate's cancer was made public. He added that he has made many jokes that have received similar criticism in the past, and he will likely make more in the future.

Nevertheless, Colbert said, "I do not make light of somebody else's tragedy." "Any cancer diagnosis" is "harrowing for the patient and for their family," he added.

"Though I'm sure they don't need it from me, I and everyone here at the Late Show would like to extend our well wishes and heartfelt hope that her recovery is swift and thorough," he concluded.

Colbert didn't offer an apology during his remarks.

ITV's royal correspondent, Chris Ship, shared a clip of his comments on X. (The footage had not been posted to the official YouTube channel of "The Late Show" as of Tuesday morning.)

After Kate shared her cancer diagnosis on Friday, royal commentators including TV presenter Piers Morgan and UK-based Atlantic staff writer Helen Lewis criticized Colbert for the jokes, while some social-media users urged him to apologize.

Others said an apology wasn't necessary. On X, one user praised the comedian for how he "handled" his response because "joking about public figures and what is happening in the news is part of being a late-night host."

Kensington Palace declined to comment. Representatives for Colbert did not immediately respond to a request for comment.