Kate Middleton Apologises For ‘Confusion’ Caused By Editing ‘Experiment’ In Family Photo

Catherine, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, issued the statement on X, apologising for the confusion. (Photo by DPPA/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, apologises for “confusion” caused by a family photo posted on Mother’s Day, which was abruptly retracted Monday by leading photo agencies amid claims of manipulation.

In a statement posted to X, Middleton wrote: “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 very happy Mother’s Day.”

The photo, snapped by Prince William at Windsor and posted to Instagram, captured Middleton beside their three children amidst her three children in her first official release after abdominal surgery.

Yet, this seemingly innocent image sparked a media frenzy hours later, as agencies like the Associated Press and Reuters dispatched an urgent “kill notice” after social media users claimed the photo was manipulated, noting details such as Princess Charlotte’s cuff and Middleton’s missing wedding ring.