KATE: I’M TO BLAME
Agencies issue ‘kill notices’ on edited shot
AT 10.28am, just hours after several major news agencies had issued a “kill notice” on her Mother’s Day photo, Kate held her hands up and admitted editing the image.
But, she explained, she had only done what “many amateur photographers” do routinely.
In a statement, Kate said: “I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.”
Kate, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, had woken up to an outcry that she had “manipulated” her family photo, with the world’s biggest photo agencies deleting it from their libraries.
To regain trust they should release it unedited MARK BORKOWSKI PR AND CRISIS CONSULTANT
SURGERY
A friend said Kate “would likely be upset by the furore caused by what was supposed to be an innocent family photograph”.
The photo of Kate with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, five, was taken by Prince William and released by Kensington Palace on Sunday.
It was the first photo to be issued since Kate was in hospital for two weeks after abdominal surgery on January 16.
But it was withdrawn hours later by Associated Press, Reuters, Agence Francepresse, Getty Images and PA, over suspicions it had been manipulated.
A royal source said Kate made “minor adjustments”, but Kensington Palace has refused to be drawn on what parts were changed or why.
William and Kate often issue their own photos, usually taken by the Princess, a talented amateur snapper, to mark special occasions, such as their children’s birthdays or Christmas.
The picture aimed to reassure the public over Kate’s health after wild conspiracy theories circulated online, prompting Kensington Palace last month to criticise the “madness of social media”. The Palace stressed: “The Princess has a right to privacy.”
Now Kate faces calls to release the original unedited image.
PR and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski said: “It can’t be that bad if they just made a few tweaks. It’s plausible she’s at
home playing with the computer, but if they’re to regain trust they should release the unedited photo. They have provided the statement as an explanation.
“The question is, with all the conspiracy theories running around, whether people believe it. I’m not sure that they will.”
He said the issue exposed a PR problem in the monarchy.
He added: “There doesn’t seem to be much joined-up, strategic thinking.
“It is a massive own goal.” AFP’S deputy news director Eric Baradat said the “badly edited” photo had shaken trust in material sent by Kensington Palace. He said: “We will put out a really strong guideline again for all our editing desks in the world, not to trust the most trustable third-party image.”
A royal source said: “It is a bad day at the office for the Palace and something which will no doubt be reflected on in future.”