Kate Middleton's Mother's Day Portrait Sparks 'Altered Image' Alert on Instagram

Instagram has issued a warning to users regarding a photo on Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton's profile. Despite multiple news outlets being asked to take down a photo of Kate and her children on Sunday, March 10, due to concerns of manipulation, the portrait still remains on Kate and William's official Instagram page.

Instagram has added a warning message below the image showing Kate smiling with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The disclaimer states, "Altered photo/video. The same altered photo was reviewed by independent fact-checkers in another post."

When users click on the warning, a pop-up message appears. It states, "Independent fact-checkers have determined that the photo or image has been edited in a way that may be misleading, not because it was shown out of context."

Instagram took this action following comments by Phil Chetwynd, the global news director of Agence France-Presse. During a podcast appearance on the BBC show "The Media Show" on Wednesday, March 13th, Chetwynd stated that Kensington Palace is no longer considered a trusted source.

Instagram Issues Warning Over Kate Middleton Altered Mother Day Portrait

Courtesy of Prince William/Instagram

Chetwynd mentioned that when you're disappointed by a source, your expectations increase. He emphasized that photo kill notices are usually only seen from agencies like the North Korean or Iranian news agency.

The recent photo editing controversy has led to even more conspiracy theories circulating about Kate's health and location while she recuperates from abdominal surgery. Kensington Palace revealed on January 17 that Kate had a scheduled surgery at the London Clinic and would not resume public duties until after Easter.

Rumors were circulating about the Princess of Wales, but Kate's representative quickly put an end to the speculation about her recovery time in a statement to We last month.

"The timelines of the princess' recovery were outlined by Kensington Palace in January, and we will only be sharing important updates," the spokesperson stated. "That guidance remains the same."

Kate released a statement on Monday, March 11, regarding the Mother's Day photo editing controversy.

In the statement shared through Kate and William's official account, Kate mentioned that she, like many amateur photographers, sometimes tries out editing techniques. She also apologized for any confusion caused by the family photo that was shared recently.

Royal expert and public relations strategist David Johnson believes that it was not a good idea for Kate to address the controversy herself. According to Johnson, this action only led to more questions about her condition and the photo.

Johnson shared his thoughts with Us on Tuesday, March 12, stating that by trying to shift the blame onto herself, Kate unintentionally made the situation even more complicated. He described the situation as chaotic and dysfunctional, leaving everyone wondering what will happen next.

Editor's P/S:

The controversy surrounding the edited photo on Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton's Instagram page raises concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in official sources. The warning label added by Instagram highlights the potential for manipulated images to deceive the public and undermine the integrity of news reporting. The incident also underscores the challenges faced by public figures in navigating the complexities of social media, where the line between personal and professional can often blur.

The fact that Kensington Palace is no longer considered a trusted source, as suggested by Phil Chetwynd, is a troubling development that could have far-reaching implications for the Royal Family's credibility and reputation. It is essential for official sources to maintain transparency and accuracy in their communications to preserve public confidence. The photo editing controversy has fueled speculation about Kate Middleton's health and well-being, demonstrating the need for clear and timely information from the Palace to dispel rumors and prevent the spread of false narratives.