The Associated Press and some top international photo agencies issued a notice to stop using a photo. The notice was sent out because it was discovered that the photo had been edited. The next day, an apology was issued on the social media account of the Princess of Wales for her alleged use of Photoshop.
Another photo that was supposedly taken by Kensington Palace, or maybe Middleton, has also been altered. A photo released in 2023 to honor what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 97th birthday has come under scrutiny, with signs of changes and manipulation found by media and people on social media.
The photo in question was released in April 2023. At that time, Kensington Palace explained that the photo was taken by the Princess of Wales the year before, while the family was at Balmoral, the queen’s favorite residence. The photo shows Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and grandchildren Mia, Lena, Lucas, Savannah, Isla, James, and Lady Louise.
The Guardian’s Sunday paper, The Observer, noted pointed out that the photo was digitally altered. They found that Prince Louis was moved in the photo, and the hair of Zara Tindall’s daughter was copied and pasted.
The outlet asked how news agencies could protect their reputations if they didn’t address the amateur claims that the image was not reliable.
Kensington Palace is losing the trust of many people, which was hard to imagine just weeks ago. There were already conspiracy theories about Middleton’s long absence, but the release of the clearly changed photo on Mother’s Day intensified them.
The manipulation of the Balmoral photo was also called out on Twitter/X, where user Le__Katerina wrote, “Did the late Queen ever pose with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren? Seems like no. This photo, taken by Kate Middleton, was edited at least in nine places. Now the mass media are reporting about it, too. A little thread.”
Then she pointed out several inconsistencies and mistakes throughout the editing, suggesting that some of the children were not actually in the photo at all.
At the core of the discussion about Middleton and Kensington Palace is a breakdown in trust between the royals and the public — the same public that funds the monarchy through the Sovereign Grant. In 2023, that amount added up to £86.3 million, “£51.8 million of which funds official travel, property maintenance and the operating costs of The Sovereign’s household.”
The main question about the edited photos and the secrecy around Middleton’s well-being is simply, why? Why go to such great lengths to change and manipulate images, and why not address speculation, confusion or concern with a video release or press conference?
It seems evident that the palace underestimated a public that has the time and interest to investigate conspiracy theories and uncover the truth, a public that has experienced politicians claiming entire elections were stolen, and a world in which it’s surprisingly easy to create fake nude photos of one of our most prominent pop stars.
Maybe the palace truly didn't think people would be concerned enough about Middleton’s prolonged absence from the public eye to question it, or perhaps they're relying on an outdated approach to the monarchy in general, one that looks back to a time when the monarchy could rely on the public to believe the story they’re being told.
In any case, it’s evident that there is still some clarifying to do.
