Kate Middleton is in hot water after it was revealed that the picture of her and her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, published on Mother’s Day, was manipulated. Many now call for Kensington Palace to tell the truth about her well-being, and simultaneously, experts come to Kate’s defense. No one from the royal family has spoken out on Kate officially, but now, Harry and Meghan have broken their silence.
It’s well-known that Harry and Meghan don’t have the best relationship with the royal family since leaving in 2019. Moreover, Kate and Meghan were said to have fallen out several times, even on the Duchess’ wedding day, and the frosty relationship has continued ever since.
When Kensington Palace announced Kate’s planned abdominal surgery, Harry and Meghan were quick to send their well-wishes. Meanwhile, as last week’s photo blunder has sparked many conspiracy theories, experts have begun analyzing pictures of Harry and Meghan, particularly their pregnancy snap taken in the US in 2021.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes was also said to have spoken out about Kate and that Meghan would never do such a thing. But now, the statement appears false – and Meghan has officially responded.
For Mother’s Day, Kate Middleton posted a picture of herself, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Louis on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram, wishing everyone a happy Mother’s Day.
Fans were overjoyed to see Kate doing well. But it didn’t take long before the public’s feelings about the picture shifted, after it turned out that there were plenty of issues with it.
Kate Middleton – manipulated Mother’s Day picture
Social media users began investigating the picture, and it was soon apparent that it had significant issues. Some parts appeared to have been manipulated, including Princess Charlotte’s jumper and Kate Middleton’s right hand, which also missed a wedding ring.
News agencies, including the Associated Press and Getty, issued a “kill notice,” an advisory notice to remove or not use a specific photo.
“It appears that the source has manipulated the image,” the Associated Press notification read.
AP also released a statement, saying: “The Associated Press initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace. The AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP’s photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand.”
Royal fans and experts have criticized Kate Middleton. Many are worried that no one is getting information about Kate’s whereabouts or health, and Kensington Palace has yet to issue a new picture, which is quite mysterious.
The conspiracy theories surrounding Kate Middleton are growing larger by the minute. But as Kensington Palace won’t comment on the Princess of Wales’ situation, it’s unsurprising that more theories are appearing.
Royal expert says Kate Middleton has been “thrown under the bus”
While many have called for Kate to speak out, fans and royal experts also suggest that this isn’t Kate’s fault.
Speaking with Palace Confidential, royal expert and author Richard Eden says that the palace has behaved “disgracefully” after letting Kate take the blame by the public, having to issue an apology on her own.
“I’m just so sad and sort of frustrated about the whole thing because I feel so sorry for Catherine,” Eden said. “Essentially, she’s been under so much pressure from people saying ‘We want a photo, we want to know how she is, tell us how she is.’ And she finally issues this photograph, it’s taken by Prince William.. They make that clear when they issue the photograph.”
The royal expert continued, saying that the Princess of Wales has been “thrown under a bus” by Kensington Palace.
“The officials made it public. They gave it out, it’s their job. I think it’s absolutely disgraceful that they’ve said to her ‘you go and explain what you did’. No, it’s your job. Take some responsibility,” Eden added.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if heads do roll over this, if not now… then eventually. Heads could roll, heads have rolled for lesser offences I’ve seen over the years.”
As mentioned, several news agencies pulled the picture of Kate and her children from their archives.
Meanwhile, CNN announced Monday that all photos previously issued by Kensington Palace are being placed under review.
“In editorial photography, photojournalists and editors commonly adjust a photograph’s exposure or color balance in order to more accurately reflect the scene. Most news organizations, including CNN, regard it as unacceptable to move, change or manipulate the pixels of an image. To do so would alter the reality of the situation the image is intended to document,” CNN announced.
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle dragged into Kate picture blunder
The manipulated picture has put the palace in a very tough spot, as more and more photos are being reviewed by news outlets such as CNN and photography experts and fans on social media.
However, the Princess of Wales is not the only one being reviewed. As soon as it was confirmed that the picture had been edited, fans began looking at pictures of two other former royals: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
On Tuesday, the Daily Mail and The Sun published stories that claimed photographer Misan Harriman, a close friend of Harry and Meghan, had altered the portrait he took when the Susdexes announced Meghan’s pregnancy in 2021. The photo, published in black-and-white, shows Harry and a pregnant Meghan Markle lying in the grass near a tree.
The stories quickly spread on social media, and Misan Harriman felt the need to hit back at the allegations.
On social media, Harriman shared the original colorized shot of the Sussexes, saying he expected a “full apology and retraction” from the Daily Mail and the Telegraph.
In an interview with BBC in 2022, Harriman was asked whether the photo had been edited.
“They were lost in their love, at home, in their garden, comfortable, celebrating new joy. No trees or meadows were moved or swapped, this is the image straight out of the camera.”
Harry & Meghan reached out to Kate after her surgery
Kate Middleton received worldwide support after the news of her surgery was made public. Shortly afterward, Harry and Meghan also showed their support despite their broken relationship with the Princess of Wales.
According to the Mirror, Harry and Meghan Markle sent their best wishes to Kate Middleton – and King Charles – after she had been hospitalized.
A source told the Mirror: “The King and the Princess of Wales have received support from Prince Harry and Meghan regarding their health. “The Duke and Duchess contacted both parties in different ways to pass on their concern and best wishes.”
Weeks later, another story was brought forward about what especially Meghan had done when she found out about Kate’s surgery. According to a Us Weekly source, Meghan contacted the princess, hoping it would be a first step to ending the feud.
The source said Meghan has contacted Kate and Charles, so moves are being made to reconcile.
Meanwhile, a second source noted that Meghan has been very “supportive” of Harry’s attempts to reconcile with his family. Also, he “wishes the royals—Kate included—the very best.”
Over the last few years, Harry and Meghan have spoken out about their experience of royal life, accusing members of “The Firm” of many things. This has led to much criticism, with the Sussexes being accused of only doing it for money.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle breaks silence over Kate Middleton photo
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle haven’t made any official statement regarding Kate Middleton or King Charles’ health status, but the picture mishap has brought them into the discussion.
Still, while Misan Harriman stated that the 2021 pregnancy photo wasn’t altered, an alleged spokesperson from the Sussexes commented on the Kate photo a few days ago, in which the Princess of Wales appeared to be mocked.
A story in Page Six quoted sources “close” to the Sussexes, saying: “This isn’t a mistake Meghan would ever make; she has a keen eye and freakish attention to detail.”
The source suggested that “if Harry and Meghan had ever encountered the same issue, they would have been annihilated” and added: “The same rules do not apply to both couples.”
It didn’t take long before Harry and Meghan found out what had been said – and reacted quickly.
“With respect to Page Six, that did not come from us, a spokesperson from the couple’s Archewell Foundation told Newsweek.
Harry and Meghan have previously been warned not to comment on Kate Middleton and her recovery.
Moreover, another expert claimed that the Sussexes are to blame for the many rumors and speculations about the Princess of Wales, as they have been very outspoken after leaving the royal family, making fans think that it’s the “new normal” among members of The Firm.
At the same time, royal expert Jennie Bond states that the fuss around the picture has negatively impacted Kate. Speaking with GB News, Bond states that Kate is “under intense pressure,” facing a threat of “bullying.
A picture posted by the Daily Mail on Monday appears to portray Kate sitting beside William in a car leaving Windsor. It was reported that she was going to a “private” appointment. But with all that has happened, Bond says, people will judge Kate whenever she is seen in public.
“The pressure has doubled and redoubled. I think she’s in a fragile mental and physical state. We should lay off her,” Jennie Bond told GB News.
“I do think we are in danger of bulling a lady who is trying to recover from a very serious operation. I think of how she must be feeling this morning. Absolutely miserable. I think her Mother’s Day was obviously ruined by this row.”
