Kate Middleton’s Mother’s Day photo sparked a significant controversy after it was quickly removed due to noticeable editing. Professional photographer Martin Bamford pointed out an oddity in Princess Charlotte’s wrist, suggesting the photo had been manipulated in Photoshop. This revelation led to widespread discussion and criticism.
Taking responsibility, Kate admitted to experimenting with editing. On her and Prince William’s official X account, she apologized for any confusion caused by the edited family photo. She expressed hope that everyone had a happy Mother’s Day despite the mix-up.
Kensington Palace confirmed that they would not be reissuing the unedited version of the photo. Major news agencies, including The Associated Press, Reuters, Getty Images, and Agence France-Presse, issued “kill notices” advising against using the image due to its manipulation. The Associated Press stated the photo did not meet their standards because of inconsistencies, such as the alignment of Charlotte’s hand.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl highlighted the rarity of this incident, noting that it’s unusual for a royal image to be recalled, which might pressure Kensington Palace to be more transparent. Phil Chetwynd, AFP’s global news director, remarked that this breach affected the Palace’s credibility. He explained that such drastic measures, like kill notices, are typically reserved for sources known for manipulation, such as North Korea.
The edited image intensified scrutiny on Kate Middleton, who has faced criticism for the lack of information about her health and recent activities. Arthur Edwards, The Sun’s royal photographer, emphasized that while editing photos is common, altering the image itself is against the “golden rule” of photography. He noted that Kate’s quick apology was the right move but that the hateful comments and conspiracies online are distressing.
Some experts, including Edwards, believe that the Palace could have mitigated the backlash by releasing the unedited photo. The incident occurred amid speculation about Kate’s health, as she had been largely unseen since December, following abdominal surgery in January.
Despite the controversy, Edwards praised the photo, describing it as a touching image of Kate surrounded by her children on Mother’s Day. Royal expert Hilary Fordwich criticized the Palace’s handling of the situation, calling it a public relations disaster and suggesting that they need more media-savvy advisors.
Tom Bower, another royal expert, echoed this sentiment, arguing that the Palace has not done enough to protect Kate. He expressed concern about the pressure on her to perform despite her serious health issues and criticized the staff for not providing adequate support.
Ultimately, the incident raises questions about the Palace’s approach to media and public relations, especially in the digital age. On March 22, Kate addressed the speculation by posting a video revealing that she is receiving cancer treatments, which aimed to put an end to the rumors and provide a much-needed update on her health.
