The Kate Middleton Photo Controversy Is an Inexplicable Mess
WiredFEB 2024
Princess of Wales' Photo Pulled After Manipulation Concerns
Image copyright: Ming Yeung/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
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.