Kate Middleton apologizes for ‘photoshopped’ image, internet responds with ‘royal’ meme (Photo credit: X)
Kate Middleton has apologized after a new agency withdrew her Mother’s Day portrait, citing manipulation. The public responded with memes.
The Princess of Wales apologized on social media on Monday, admitting she was involved in tampering with an official portrait released by Kensington Palace. It comes after major news organizations including AFP, Reuters and the Associated Press retracted a Mother’s Day portrait showing a smiling Kate Middleton casually seated on garden chairs with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis ; Due to a violation of the Manipulated Content Policy.
Attempts to reassure the public about Middleton’s whereabouts amid speculation surrounding her recent abdominal surgery turned out to be a huge blunder. The fallout from the photo’s publication led to the editor issuing an apology to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official account on Monday morning.
“Like many amateur photographers, I occasionally dabble in editing. I would like to apologize for any confusion caused by the family photos we shared yesterday. I hope everyone celebrating had a happy Mother’s Day. C”, It says.
Like many amateur photographers, I occasionally try my hand at editing. I would like to apologize for any confusion caused by the family photos we shared yesterday. I hope everyone celebrating had a happy Mother’s Day. C — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024
Surprisingly, the apology, signed by Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed that Middleton himself had altered the image, going against the carefully curated image of the royal family.
However, not everyone was convinced by the apology. Social media erupted with skepticism, with one user writing: “I find it hard to believe that the most famous royal in the world and soon-to-be Queen Photoshopped a family photo (intended to quash rumors) about her whereabouts) and no one in the queue checked it. No. Not buying.”
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Another chimed in: “No one is actually buying this. I sincerely care about this woman’s safety and well-being.”
I find it hard to believe that the most famous royal in the world and soon-to-be Queen would fiddle with Photoshop and post a family photo (intended to quash rumors about her whereabouts) without anyone checking. No. Don’t buy it. — Sonia Poulton (@SoniaPoulton) March 11, 2024
Literally, no one is buying this. I am sincerely concerned for this woman’s safety and welfare. —Jayda Fransen (@JaydaBF) March 11, 2024
Memes quickly followed, reflecting the suspicion surrounding Kate’s case and the erosion of trust more broadly.
Kensington Palace releases new photo of Kate Middleton showing the princess is alive and well pic.twitter.com/HaomoGeLQs– Now, baby, give me a little more of my heart (@connolly_reece) March 11, 2024
Kate Middleton works another 12-hour shift editing all royal photos for press releases while also being on bed rest and raising 3 kids pic.twitter.com/fja2PNKT3G— C. (@cstsher) March 11, 2024
For those confused by what all the fuss is about, the photo itself is a surprise. Everyone’s smile was as big as a Snapchat filter. Middleton, seated in the middle, looks oddly proportioned, raising questions about the authenticity of the image. From the misaligned hands to odd details like the lighter zipper on Middleton’s outfit, the differences are noticeable.
The manipulations were so blatant that even Britain’s Press Association retracted the photo, citing a lack of clarification from Kensington Palace. In response, Buckingham Palace hastily issued a statement in an attempt to calm growing concerns.
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So while the palace attempts damage control, the public remains skeptical. How many more holes do they have to drill before they come up with something believable? Only time will tell.
