The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent regulator for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, is currently assessing reports of a potential data breach involving Princess Diana's medical records. The breach allegedly occurred at The London Clinic, where the Princess of Wales spent 13 nights following planned abdominal surgery in January.

According to The Daily Mirror tabloid, an unnamed staff member at the hospital was caught attempting to access Princess Diana's private medical records. The London Clinic has launched an investigation into the matter, stating that they will take all necessary disciplinary and regulatory actions.

Al Russell, the Chief Executive of The London Clinic, emphasized that breaching patient trust and confidentiality is unacceptable. He assured that the hospital has implemented systems to monitor the management of patient information, and any breaches will be thoroughly investigated.

The breach was immediately reported to the palace by hospital staff, who promised to conduct a full investigation into the matter. Kensington Palace, in response to CNN's inquiry, stated that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of The London Clinic.

It remains unclear whether the attempted breach was successful. However, the UK's Health Minister, Maria Caulfield, warned that hospital staff could face prosecution if found guilty of accessing the princess's medical records without permission. Caulfield highlighted the strict rules governing access to patient notes and mentioned potential enforcement actions by the ICO and regulatory bodies.

In terms of potential penalties, the ICO has the authority to impose fines of up to £17.5 million (over $22 million) or 4% of the organization's worldwide annual turnover, whichever is higher, in the most severe cases.

At present, London police have not initiated an investigation into the alleged breach. The Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed their lack of awareness regarding any referrals related to the incident.

This is not the first time that The London Clinic has faced concerns over its governance procedures. Previously, the hospital received a warning notice from England's hospital regulator for non-compliance with regulations regarding "good governance." Although improvements have been noted, concerns remain, especially in relation to the handling of complaints.

Since news of Princess Diana's surgery in January, speculation and scrutiny surrounding the royal family have intensified. Earlier this week, The Sun published a video of the princess and her husband, Prince William, walking in a garden center. Additionally, there has been speculation regarding digitally edited photos of Kate and her children, leading to a statement from the Palace acknowledging the use of editing software and apologizing for any confusion caused.

The ICO's assessment of the alleged data breach involving Princess Diana's medical records will shed light on the incident and determine any necessary actions to ensure patient confidentiality and data security in the future.