Kate Middleton’s photo-editing fiasco has accidentally done more harm than good in silencing mass speculation about her well-being, according to a former royal butler.
The Princess of Wales, 42, who has been recovering from abdominal surgery behind closed doors, was forced to issue an apology after releasing a doctored family photo for UK’s Mother’s Day on Sunday.
But with mounting chatter about the royal’s post-surgery recovery, the image’s release has ended up causing concerns, says King Charles’s former butler Grant Harrold.
“Of course, it does cause concern because everybody is over-analyzing it at the moment and everybody is worried about her and is looking to see for any kind of signs,” Harrold, who worked as the monarch’s butler for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, exclusively told The Post.
“If it hadn’t been for her taking this time out, the photo editing really wouldn’t have been much of a story,” he said.
“It would’ve been a case of simply acknowledging that they’ve edited the photo a bit and then it would be over and done with,” the royal expert added.
Just seconds after the said image was released on social media, eagle-eyed followers noticed a myriad of editing mishaps in the photo of the Princess with her three children.
The widespread speculation prompted conspiracy theorists to come out of the woodwork, with claims being made about not only Middleton’s health, but also her whereabouts.
“I think because some people are convinced there is something going on behind the scenes, something as little as editing a photo has become a big thing,” Harrold said of the rumor mill surrounding the mom of three.
“I’m hoping that as she returns to duties and as things calm down, if there is any future editing people won’t analyze it to the extent they have done just now.”
“She’s recovering, she’s taking time out and she’s done this family photograph and for whatever reason she’s obviously wanted to edit some of it and I suppose that is a personal choice,” Harrold added.
After the photo’s faux pas seemingly exacerbated whispers about her health, the royal returned to social media to set the record straight on what had happened.
“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” she wrote on X in the wake of the controversy. “I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.”
The royal tweeted her apologies after leading photo agencies — including Reuters, the Associated Press, Getty, and AFP — all yanked the image over numerous signs it had been altered.
On Monday, the Princess was spotted leaving Windsor Castle with her husband, Prince William, just hours after her photo-related clarification.
Breaking down Kate Middleton’s Photoshop fail
- On Monday, Kensington Palace released a new photo and statement from Kate Middleton for UK Mother’s Day. Eagle-eyed fans immediately saw the photo — showing Kate surrounded by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — was littered with mistakes, either from Photoshop or AI.
- The photo, the original of which Kensington Palace refuses to release, was quickly recalled by photo agencies over fears it had been digitally “manipulated.”
- Middleton issued an apology Monday after her photo went viral for its numerous Photoshop errors. “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” she said.
It was her first public appearance since her January surgery. She was last seen in an official capacity on Christmas Day while attending church in Sandringham.
The Princess is not expected to return to her public duties until after Easter.
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