The Royal Couple Addresses Backlash Over Allegedly Altered Mother's Day Photo
Prince William and Princess Kate have finally broken their silence over the recent controversy surrounding Catherine’s Mother's Day photo, expressing their "astonishment" at the backlash it received. The photo, featuring Kate and her three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—was intended as a heartwarming gesture on Mother’s Day, marking Kate’s first public appearance after undergoing abdominal surgery in January 2024.
An updated edition of Robert Hardman’s book, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, reveals insights from a close aide, who explained that the Prince and Princess of Wales were surprised by the intensity of the criticism. Following the photo’s release, international photo agencies, including AFP, Associated Press, Getty, and Reuters, issued a "kill notice," alleging that the image had been digitally altered.
The aide attributed the backlash to heightened scrutiny around the Princess at that time and the growing concerns within the photography industry about AI and digital manipulation. “Even so, the reaction seemed extremely disproportionate,” the aide noted.
An insider close to Kate explained that the picture was simply meant to spread positivity amid ongoing royal health challenges. "This had just been a mother deciding to share a personal picture of her and her children on Mother’s Day to bring some joy to the nation. That’s all," shared the source.
