Princess Catherine says she manipulated family photo that sparked speculation
Associated Press and other news agencies had retracted photo of Catherine and children
Catherine, Princess of Wales, apologized Monday for "confusion" caused by her editing of a family photo released by Kensington Palace — an image of Catherine and her children that was intended to calm concern and speculation about the British royal's health, but had the opposite effect.
Several news agencies that initially published the photo, including The Associated Press, withdrew the image over concerns about digital manipulation. Issued by the couple's Kensington Palace office on Sunday to mark Mother's Day in Britain, it was the first official photo of Catherine since she had abdominal surgery nearly two months ago.
The retractions sent the online rumour mill, already rampant with speculation over Catherine's operation and recuperation, into overdrive.
In a post on social media, Catherine said that "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 post said.
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. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C
—@KensingtonRoyalIn the past, the palace has issued several of Catherine's family snapshots featuring her and Prince William with their children Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5.
The latest photo was taken by William, Kensington Palace said. In an accompanying message posted on social media, Catherine said: "Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day."
While there was no suggestion the photo was fake, AP retracted it because closer inspection revealed the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. For instance, the image shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand.
Other major news agencies, including Getty, Reuters and AFP, did the same on Sunday.
Shortly before Catherine's statement was issued on Monday, Britain's national news agency said it was following suit. AP said it had asked Kensington Palace for clarification about the image and "in the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service."
Kensington Palace said it would not release the original unedited photograph. And while Catherine's statement provided a measure of clarification, it looked unlikely to stop the swirl of rumour that has accelerated during her absence from public duties.
'Damaging for the royals'
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the mishandled photo release "is damaging for the royals."
"They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate," he wrote on X. "Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update."
The Royal Family is under particular scrutiny because King Charles III has also had to cancel public duties while he undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer. The monarch has cancelled all his public engagements, though he has been photographed walking to church and meeting privately with government officials and dignitaries.
Charles's relative openness about his diagnosis was a departure for the generally secretive Royal Family. But it has been eclipsed in popular interest by curiosity over Catherine's condition. In the absence of firm information, conspiracy theories have rushed to fill the vacuum.
The release of the photo followed weeks of gossip on social media about what had happened to Catherine since she left a hospital Jan. 29 after a nearly two-week stay following planned surgery. She hadn't been seen publicly since Christmas Day.
Catherine, 42, underwent surgery Jan. 16 and her condition and the reason for the operation have not been revealed, though Kensington Palace said it was not cancer-related.
'We've seen the madness of social media'
Although the palace initially said that it would only provide significant updates and that she would not return to royal duties before Easter — March 31 this year — it followed up with a statement last month by saying she was doing well and reiterating its previous statement.
"Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess' recovery and we'd only be providing significant updates," the palace said Feb. 29. "That guidance stands."
At the time, royal aides told The Sun newspaper: "We've seen the madness of social media and that is not going to change our strategy. There has been much on social media but the princess has a right to privacy and asks the public to respect that."
Further questions were raised last week when the British military seemed to jump the gun in announcing Catherine would attend a Trooping the Colour ceremony in June, apparently without consulting palace officials.
It's up to palace officials, not government departments, to announce the royals' attendance at events. Kensington Palace didn't confirm any scheduled public events for Catherine, and the army later removed reference to her attendance.
William, Queen Consort Camilla and other senior royals attended a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday. Neither Catherine nor the King was due to be at the event, which drew a crowd of several dozen anti-monarchist protesters holding signs reading "Down with the Crown."
Veteran public relations consultant Mark Borkowski said the photo gaffe exposed a wider PR problem for the monarchy.
"There doesn't seem to be that much joined-up strategic thinking at the heart of the Royal Family at the moment, which leads to these problems where it's a very difficult organization to manage in terms of PR," he said.
"I find they have risen to the challenge, provided the statement as an explanation," he said of Catherine's apology Monday. "The question is, with all the conspiracy theories running around, is whether people believe it. And I'm not sure that they will."