In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, CBS has announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, with the long-running program set to end its run later this year. The decision, revealed in July 2025, comes amid a fresh wave of backlash over controversial jokes the host made about Catherine, Princess of Wales (formerly Kate Middleton), back in March 2024. What began as a segment poking fun at royal rumors has snowballed into a career-defining scandal, reigniting debates about the boundaries of comedy, media responsibility, and the scrutiny faced by public figures during personal crises.

The controversy traces its roots to early 2024, when the Princess of Wales stepped back from public duties following abdominal surgery. Her prolonged absence fueled wild speculation online, ranging from conspiracy theories to unfounded rumors about her marriage to Prince William. On March 12, 2024, during an episode of The Late Show, Colbert waded into the fray. “The kingdom has been all aflutter by the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton,” he quipped. “Well now, internet sleuths are guessing that Kate’s absence may be related to her husband and the future King of England, William, having an affair. Oh no, my heart goes out to poor Kate.” He went on to name Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, as the alleged other woman, referencing persistent but debunked rumors from 2019 that had been firmly denied by William’s legal team.

The jokes landed poorly even at the time, but the backlash intensified dramatically on March 22, 2024, when Kate released a poignant video announcing her cancer diagnosis and ongoing chemotherapy treatment. Public sentiment shifted from amusement to outrage, with many accusing Colbert of insensitivity for mocking a woman who was privately battling a serious illness. Social media erupted, demanding apologies not just to Kate but to the entire royal family. Andy Cohen, Kim Kardashian, and John Oliver faced similar criticism for their own lighthearted comments on Kate’s “disappearance,” but Colbert’s segment drew particular ire due to its direct reference to infidelity rumors.

Responding to the uproar on March 25, 2024, Colbert addressed the issue head-on during his monologue. “There’s a standard that I try to hold myself to, and that is I do not make light of somebody else’s tragedy,” he stated solemnly. “Now, I don’t know whether her prognosis is a tragic one. She’s the future queen of England, so either way she’s going to get the best possible medical care, but regardless of what it is, I know, and I’m sure many of you do too, that any cancer diagnosis of any kind is harrowing for the patient and for their family. And though I’m sure they don’t need it from me, I and everyone here at The Late Show extend our well wishes and heartfelt hope that her recovery is swift and thorough.” He explained that his material often draws from trending topics, and Kate’s absence was dominating headlines. However, he acknowledged that his jokes had upset people, adding that such reactions were inevitable in his line of work and likely to happen again.

Despite the address, the response was met with widespread criticism for falling short of a genuine apology. Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, lambasted Colbert on X (formerly Twitter): “He may regret his actions, but he hasn’t apologized. American talk show hosts have a knack for cruel humor that leaves others to deal with the fallout, and Colbert is no exception. Buckingham Palace said she had surgery and would be absent for weeks. The Princess of Wales didn’t disappear; she was recovering. That wasn’t enough for this host and the online mob. Shame on all of you. The message is clear: think before you speak.” Netizens echoed this sentiment, with comments like: “No real apology from Stephen Colbert to Kate Middleton,” “This is rambling nonsense, not an apology in any form,” and “He sounds insincere – no remorse at all.”

Not everyone condemned Colbert. Some fans defended him, arguing that satirizing public figures is part of late-night TV’s DNA. “Stephen Colbert handled this well. I’m glad he didn’t apologize for his jokes; he doesn’t need to. Joking about public figures and current events is what late-night hosts do,” one supporter posted online. Additionally, Hanbury’s lawyers sent a legal notice to CBS, affirming the affair rumors were “completely false” and demanding retractions.

The story seemed to fade as Kate focused on her recovery, making gradual returns to public life, including appearances at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon in 2024 and 2025. However, in July 2025, the controversy exploded anew, coinciding with CBS’s announcement of The Late Show‘s cancellation. Reports suggest the network’s decision was influenced by declining ratings, shifting viewer preferences, and advertiser pullback, but royal watchers and media insiders point to the lingering stain of the Kate jokes as a contributing factor. “The outrage over his remarks may have contributed to CBS’s decision to end his show, though the network has not confirmed any connection,” noted one analysis.

Social media has been ablaze with renewed criticism. Posts on X celebrate the cancellation as “accountability” for “harassing the Princess of Wales and spreading lies about the ‘Rose Affair.'” Some users speculate the rumors were amplified by “Team Montecito” – a veiled reference to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – exacerbating tensions between the brothers’ supporters. “Stephen Colbert’s shocking exit sparks fresh backlash over Kate Middleton affair joke,” headlines proclaimed, with fans expressing relief that media figures might now “think twice before exploiting the royal family’s private struggles for entertainment.”

Colbert, now 61, has not directly commented on the cancellation’s link to the scandal, but sources close to him describe the host as reflective. His career, marked by sharp political satire from The Colbert Report to The Late Show, has often courted controversy, but this incident highlights a cultural shift toward greater sensitivity around health and privacy issues. As Kate continues her treatment – recently described as progressing well – the episode serves as a cautionary tale for comedians navigating the fine line between humor and harm.

The cancellation marks the end of an era for late-night TV, with Colbert’s departure following similar exits by peers like James Corden and Trevor Noah. While some mourn the loss of his witty commentary, others see it as justice for a joke that went too far. As one royal commentator put it, “In an age of instant outrage, words have consequences – even for the kings of comedy.”