Nicola Sturgeon's sister posted about Kate's cancer on social media 25 minutes before the princess made the announcement.
Gillian Sturgeon posted on Facebook at 5.35pm yesterday evening, before deleting the post shortly after receiving backlash.
She wrote: "Get well soon Princess Kate. After this awful news I hope the media leave her in peace to recover."
Sturgeon was asked whether her older sister, the former First Minister of Scotland - who is still on the Privy Council - had told her about the cancer.
Gillian Sturgeon posted on social media at 5.35pm wishing Kate a swift recovery
Kensington Palace/Facebook/X
She denied the accusation, replying to the comment: "My sister and I haven’t spoken in 3 days. I read online. Stop using someone’s Illness to try to troll. Sad person you are."
Another social media user commented: "Some stooshie you've caused. Your poor sis getting it tight...."
Gillian replied: "I've done nothing wrong. Neither has she. I read something online but Ofcourse people want to believe the other."
The Privy Council serves as an important link between the executive powers of ministers and the constitutional authority of the sovereign and has existed since the 13th century.
After deleting the post, Gillian made another post, explaining that her original post had been deleted.
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Gillian Sturgeon posted a selfie after deleting the post
She wrote: "Goodnight trolls. Goodbye [waving hand emoji] also. Lots blocked. Post down - & no more explanations given. What I read online I have no control over."
An hour later she posted a selfie wearing a grey beanie, leopard print framed glasses and a beige jumper with black turtleneck underneath.
She captioned the image: "Never allow the opinions of others become your business. Be the LION [lion emoji] amongst SHEEP [sheep emoji]."
A couple of hours later she put up her latest post, explaining how she found out about Kate's cancer diagnosis, alongside a photo of the news being broken in the US well before the 6pm announcement.
Gillian Sturgeon claimed she found out from NY Post journalist Kelly Jane Torrance who posted on X
X
She posted a picture of a tweet by NY Post journalist Kelly Jane Torrance that was published at 11.37am ET (3.37pm GMT).
Torrance - who has since deleted the tweet - wrote: "Kate Middleton has cancer and is going through chemo. Which is a big surprise, as the palace had said it wasn't cancer. Best wishes to one of the classiest of women."
Alongside a picture of the tweet, Gillian wrote: "Posted in NY at 1137. 1637 here. Just so all you conspiracy theorists know that it was out there.
"I read online. I did not 'hear' from someone that by the way …… I actually told !!!!! Said person was totally unaware Now jog on and stop using a young woman’s bad Health to point score and troll."