Kensington Palace Distributes Altered Photo, AFP and Other Agencies Withdraw Image
Catherine, Princess of Wales, issued an apology on Monday after it was revealed that an official portrait of her and her children had been edited before its release by the palace. The image, taken by her husband Prince William, depicted Kate seated with their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Concerns arose regarding inconsistencies in the photo, such as misaligned clothing and missing details. Agencies including AFP, Getty, the Associated Press (AP), and Reuters initially published the image but later withdrew it due to their policies against distributing manipulated images.
The controversy added fuel to existing speculation about Kate’s health, especially since she has not been seen publicly since attending a Christmas Day church service and undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
In a statement released on social media, signed by “C” for Catherine, the Princess expressed regret: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.”
The situation has raised questions about the credibility of the palace’s updates on Kate’s health. Peter Hunt, a former BBC royal correspondent, described the situation as “damaging” for the family, suggesting that it could impact trust in future health updates.
Graham Smith, head of the Republic pressure group advocating for an elected head of state, commented, “It’s quite simple. Don’t use their own photos. It’s PR, not news.”
The intense interest in Kate’s well-being is due to her position as the wife of Prince William, who is the elder son of King Charles III and the future king. Kate was admitted to the hospital on January 16 for planned surgery and is expected to recuperate at home until at least Easter on March 31, according to Kensington Palace.
The controversy surrounding the manipulated photograph has led to a reshuffling of British newspapers’ front pages, reflecting the unfolding situation. Royal officials have not disclosed the nature of Kate’s surgery but have confirmed it was not cancer-related.
This incident follows recent scrutiny of Kate’s absence from public appearances, including a photograph published by TMZ allegedly showing her wearing sunglasses while being driven by her mother near the couple’s Windsor home. Social media has been rife with speculation about her absence.
The timing of this controversy coincides with another health issue in the royal family, as Prince Charles, 75, has recently been diagnosed with an unspecified cancer, unrelated to his previous treatment for a benign enlarged prostate. Queen Camilla, his wife, has taken on a more prominent role in public events as Charles continues his treatment.
The palace’s handling of the manipulated photo and the ongoing health concerns of both Kate and Charles have placed the royal family under intense scrutiny, with many questioning the transparency and communication from Kensington Palace.
