Kate Middleton’s condition and location remain unclear months after her abdominal surgery. The Palace has only stated she’s recovering well, sparking speculation.
A Mother’s Day photo of Kate with her children fueled further discussions. Initially shared by Kensington Palace and later removed by major news outlets, the image was altered, with signs of manipulation, particularly Princess Charlotte’s misaligned hand. The Associated Press issued a “kill notice,” retracting the photo after determining it violated standards.
Kate admitted to editing the image herself, apologizing on X (formerly Twitter) and clarifying it was an amateur mistake. Despite her apology, the Palace refused to release the unedited photo, intensifying public concern about her well-being and the Palace’s secrecy.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich criticized the Palace for a PR failure, while Rob Jobson defended Kate, blaming amateur photo editing. Both experts acknowledged her humility in taking responsibility.
King Charles, who’s been dealing with his own health battles, has remained silent on Kate’s recovery, leaving the Palace to handle the fallout. Royal expert Daniela Elser noted that the Mother’s Day photo was meant to reassure the public but instead spiraled into a crisis for the royal family’s image.