Photo: Chris Jackson Pool via Associated Press Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that Princess Kate Middleton had undergone a “scheduled” abdominal operation at a London clinic.
Sylvain Peuchmaurd – Agence France-Presse in London
08:02
- Europe
Princess Kate Middleton apologized on Monday after the release of a photo with her children for Mother's Day, which major news agencies unpublished because the image was photoshopped.
“Like many amateur photographers, I sometimes try my hand at editing. I would like to apologize for the confusion caused by the family photo we shared yesterday (Sunday), the Princess of Wales said in a message signed C for Catherine, published on X (formerly Twitter).< /p>
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 photo sent on Sunday for Mother's Day in the United Kingdom — the first official photo since her operation in January — shows the 42-year-old princess smiling, in jeans, a sweater and a blazer, sitting on a rattan chair on a terrace, surrounded by her three smiling children.
Taken last week in Windsor, according to the services of the princely couple, it was accompanied by a short message already signed “C”: “Thank you for your wishes and your continued support over the last two months . I wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day.”
But a detailed examination shows, among other things, that Princess Charlotte's left hand has a misalignment with the sleeve of her vest, or even a clear break in Princess Kate's zipper , clearly visible by enlarging the image.
After relaying the photo provided by the palace, the Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Getty and AFP agencies decided to unpublish it.
The British PA agency made the same decision on Monday morning, due to a lack of “clarification” from the princely couple’s services.
“It has emerged that the image provided by Kensington Palace today [Sunday] of Kate and her children has been altered. It has therefore been withdrawn from the AFP service and must no longer be used in any way,” indicated Agence France-Presse.
Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.
Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C
???? The Prince of Wales, 2024 pic.twitter.com/6DywGBpLLQ
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 10, 2024
Question of “trust”
Several observers were also surprised by the absence of a wedding ring on the finger of Kate, who married Prince William, heir to the throne, in 2011.
The photo made the front pages of many British newspapers, more or less emphasizing the controversy, which gained momentum late on Sunday.
According to royal commentator Peter Hunt, the affair is embarrassing for Kensington Palace because “people will now wonder whether they can be trusted and believed” about the princess's health.
The controversy also risks overshadowing the ceremony at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day on Monday, one of the monarchy's major annual events: all active and healthy members of the royal family are expected there , including Queen Camilla and Prince William.
In a pre-recorded video message, King Charles, being treated for cancer and who has suspended his public activities, promised to serve “to the best of his abilities” these 56 countries, a large part of which come from the 'former British Empire.
Hectic week
The effort at transparency demonstrated by the 75-year-old sovereign contrasts with the communication surrounding the health of his daughter-in-law since her abdominal operation in January. No details were ever given, fueling the rumors.
The publication of Kate's photo came to close an eventful week, with the publication of a photo taken from afar by American media, and the confusion surrounding the presence of the princess at an official event next June.
His last public appearance was at the royal family's Christmas mass in Sandringham (east of England) at the end of December.
Unprecedented discretion for the very popular princess, whose travels very often make the headlines in the British media.
Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that the princess had undergone a “scheduled” abdominal operation at a London clinic.
Relaying Kate's “wish” “that her personal medical information remain private”, he indicated that she would not participate in any official public engagements before Easter. William had reduced his schedule to stay with his wife and their children.
Twelve days later, the palace said the princess had returned to her home in Windsor. And since then, nothing, or almost nothing, except a short statement at the end of February while questions piled up in the press, to indicate that it “continues to do well”, after the cancellation of a Prince William's public engagement for an unspecified “personal reason.”
“It’s simple, don’t use their photos. This is public relations, not news,” the anti-monarchy movement Republic commented on Monday on X.