Palace Threw Kate Middleton Under The Bus Over 'Manipulated' Photo Controversy, Netizens Claim

Kate Middleton quickly issued an apology over the controversial Mother's Day photo, but the move received mixed reactions online.

The Princess of Wales took to social media and apologized in a subsequent post after her Mother's Day photo with her children received a "kill notice" from the Associated Press for being "manipulated." Middleton admitted that she had altered the shot because just like other amateur photographers, she would "occasionally experiment with editing."

However, her apology raised several eyebrows, with many wondering why she had to say sorry when her husband, Prince William, was the one who took the shot. Some speculated that the Palace threw her under the bus, and they were not convinced that the post was from Middleton, even if it was signed with "C" for "Catherine," her first name.

"I thought William took the photo?" one commented with a thinking face emoji.

"The Palace just threw her right under the bus huh? Zero chance this is true," a different user opined.

Another added, "It's sad that they have made you take the fall for this. This is just bizarre."

"What kind of 'man,' if you can even call him that, makes his wife take the fall like this? Pathetic," a third person wrote with a face with rolling eye emoji.

Meanwhile, others defended Prince William, saying it's possible that the heir apparent took the shot, but Middleton was the one who edited it.

One suggested that Prince William "handed" Middleton the phone after capturing the moment. The same user urged others to "just stop it," referring to the intense backlash over the photo in question.

"She says she edited it, no[t] that she was the photographer," another stated.

"So what if he took the pic? She can edit it still! Good grief," a different commenter wrote.

"With all the more reason to edit it! Husbands don't know how to take pictures!" another jokingly wrote alongside a grinning face with a sweat emoji.

Several users also comforted Middleton and said she didn't need to apologize because it's normal for photos nowadays to be digitally altered, adding that the issue should not be a big deal.

"No apology need[ed] it[sic]. Every picture has some type of editing, and these people are out for a witch hunt. You focus on healing, and the media can seriously go away. Please don't provide them with any more pictures of your children. Post it just on your social media pages," one wrote.

"No need at all for apologies. Hope you had a lovely day yourself with the children. Get well soon!" another stated.

"Everyone edits photos. You don't need to apologize. The photo was wonderful. It was a beautiful Mother's Day greeting. Sending love from the US," a royal supporter wrote.

Middleton and Prince William were spotted riding the same vehicle on Monday, a day after the royal matriarch's Mother's Day photo blunder. However, they went to different engagements.

The Prince of Wales attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey in London while the Princess of Wales went to a "private appointment."