Kate Middleton Apologizes For Manipulating Mother’s Day Photo: ‘I Do Occasionally Experiment With Editing’
Kate Middleton apologized Monday for the "confusion" surrounding a recent family photo released by the palace.
Four news agencies have since removed the Mother's Day family photo following concerns regarding digital manipulation. This was the first photo released of the Princess of Wales since undergoing abdominal surgery two months prior.
Within hours, the media outlets had all issued "kill" notifications. The Associated Press recanted their article, citing "the source has manipulated the image." Agence France-Press (AFP) cited an editorial issue, and Reuters claimed they withdrew the image after a post publication review. Getty Images has also dropped the photo.
"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," Kate wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, early Monday morning. "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."
Mother's Days is celebrated on March 10 in the United Kingdom.
RELATED: 'Kill Notice' For Kate Middleton's Mother's Day Photo Explained By Expert
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
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024
The tweet has since received 15.7M views in just a few hours. The public is particularly interested in Kate's well-being, as the princess was last seen in public on Christmas Day while attending a church ceremony before being pictured riding in a car with her mother, Carole Middleton, on March 4.
RELATED: Queen Camilla Breaks Silence After King Charles' Cancer Diagnosis
The family photo featuring her and Prince William alongside their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, while light-hearted, presented a number of discrepancies.
Happy Mothers Day to Kate Middleton.
Great photo.
Was it taken by William last week? 🤔
No wedding ring....🤔
And how Kate, after abdominal surgery, are you comfortable wearing skinny jeans? 😳
Sorry....im not buying that this is a recent photograph. 🤷 pic.twitter.com/vlHKrDhVMN— K D 💙 (@karend0609) March 10, 2024
Online viewers pointed out inconsistencies in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's hand and skirt, and the zipper on Kate's sweater, per Variety. Social media users also noted how Middleton wasn't wearing her wedding ring.
The Press Association — a popular media outlet for the royals — requested clarification regarding the digital image from Kensington Palace, but reportedly they never received an adequate response.
"In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service," PA said in a statement obtained by KTLA.
Kate isn't the only royal battling a health issue. Her father-in-law, King Charles, announced he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early February.
