A prominent PR professional in London, speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, describes the controversy surrounding the editing of Kate Middleton’s photos as “damning.”
Responding to concerns about potential deception, image experts removed the Mother’s Day photo featuring the 42-year-old Princess of Wales, who is recuperating from abdominal surgeries, and her children over the weekend. In a private statement that was later made public on Monday, Princess Kate issued an apology, acknowledging, “Like many novice photographers, I often experiment with editing. I regret any distress caused by the family photo we shared yesterday.”
However, rather than quelling the issues, the situation has escalated, according to Mark Borkowski, a PR and crisis communications specialist based in London. He remarked, “In fact, it has exacerbated the situation.”
Questions have arisen regarding whether the images are authentic or digitally altered using AI or Photoshop. This association with potential artificial manipulation is not something one would want to be linked with the royal family, as noted by Borkowski.
The controversial pictures depict Kate Middleton with her children Prince Louis, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte.
An official from the palace downplayed the PR challenges, stating publicly that it is merely a “bump in the road, not a catastrophe.”
The insider mentioned that Kate has graciously apologized, emphasizing that she broke a rule that 99% of people adhere to, yet they do not face the same level of scrutiny.
The insider further highlighted the intense scrutiny faced by Kate, stating, “You are always under the spotlight, constantly striving for perfection.”
On December 5, 2023, Kate Middleton visited a family doctor.
While acknowledging Kate’s royal status, the insider emphasized her humanity, particularly after undergoing surgery, where one would naturally desire to present their best image to the public.
Borkowski pointed out a shift from the traditional “never complain, never explain” approach of Queen Elizabeth’s era to a more information-sharing stance by the current royals. He expressed that this shift has led to a situation where a seemingly trivial incident like this photo editing issue has garnered significant attention due to the lack of transparency.
The released picture, timed for Mothering Sunday in the UK, held significance as it marked the first official image of the Princess of Wales since her surgery on January 16. Kate was captured in a car with her mother, Carole Middleton, for the first time since Christmas on March 4.
According to a palace source, Kate would prefer not to be remembered by such an image, contrasting it with a paparazzi photo from the previous week with her mother.
Following the public statement from Princess Kate, she and Prince William were spotted leaving Windsor Castle on Monday.
Borkowski noted that while the royal family can usually recover from missteps, the current situation may have lasting repercussions due to the lack of transparency and decision-making processes.
He highlighted the impact of the scant information available about Kate’s condition, suggesting that the public perception of the royal family’s handling of the situation reflects poorly on their decision-making.
