The Princess of Wales apologized on social media for the confusion caused by a photo released by her office, Kensington Palace.
Several major news outlets, including Getty, pulled the photo after a post-publication investigation revealed that it did not match their editorial standards.
"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," the message on X said, signed with a "C" meaning Kate sent it. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused."
Did you read this?
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 pleased Mother’s Day. C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024
According to the Reuters Handbook of Journalism, the editing program Photoshop is only helpful in very few situations. "We use only a tiny part of its potential capability to format our pictures, crop and size them and balance the tone and color."
The photo had previously sparked widespread media coverage because it was Kate's first official snapshot since undergoing abdominal surgery in January.
The palace says Prince William took the photo last week. It shows Kate, 42, smiling and looking well, surrounded by Princes George, Louis, and Princess Charlotte.
