U.K. authorities probe possible Princess Kate medical record breach as royals slog through photo scandal

London — A video clip of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, shopping with her husband Prince William, emerged this week but has failed to quash speculation about Kate's health. Interest is so high, it would seem, that it may have led a London clinic worker to break the law in an effort to obtain Kate's personal medical information.

A British newspaper reported Wednesday that at least one person had tried to access Kate's medical records at the private, upmarket London Clinic, where she underwent unspecified abdominal surgery in January. 

A government watchdog agency, the Information Commissioner's Office, confirmed that it had "received a breach report" and was in the process of "assessing the information provided."

• Royal insider on what the Princess Kate photo scandal shows

In a statement sent to CBS News, the London Clinic's CEO Al Russell said all of the facility's staff were "acutely aware of our individual, professional, ethical and legal duties with regards to patient confidentiality. We take enormous pride in the outstanding care and discretion we aim to deliver for all our patients that put their trust in us every day."

Russell said the London Clinic had "systems in place to monitor management of patient information and, in the case of any breach, all appropriate investigatory, regulatory and disciplinary steps will be taken," adding: "There is no place at our hospital for those who intentionally breach the trust of any of our patients or colleagues."

British health minister Maria Caulfield told the Sky News television network that London police had "been asked to look at" whether any clinic staff members had, in fact, attempted to access Kate's private medical records.