The Kate Middleton Photo Controversy Is an Inexplicable Mess
WiredFeb 29
Princess of Wales' Photo Pulled After Manipulation Concerns
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Image copyright: Ming Yeung/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Five photo agencies — AFP, AP, Getty Images, Reuters, and PA — have withdrawn a picture of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, after concerns it had been "manipulated" before being posted online.
The image, reportedly taken by Prince William — her husband and heir to the British throne — showed Middleton smiling alongside the couple's three children: Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
While the image shows signs of manipulation, this was likely just a case of over-zealous editing. There's no implication that the whole image is fake or that the princess is more unwell than she appears. That would be an extremely risky approach from Kensington Palace, which they're very unlikely to take.
Establishment-critical narrative
Though the image gave social media users an opportunity for some light-hearted jokes, there's a bigger underlying problem that shows the Royal Family clearly has something to hide. Why else would they post a doctored image at a time of so much speculation? It will be very hard for them to regain the public's trust following this mishap.
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