The release of a Mother’s Day photo by Princess Kate, featuring her and her three children, has sparked controversy over potential editing inaccuracies. The photo, meant to celebrate the occasion, was shared by Kensington Palace but quickly attracted scrutiny for possible manipulation. Detected issues included discrepancies with Princess Charlotte’s cardigan sleeve and irregularities with Kate’s zipper alignment. Critics and royal fans noted amateurish editing marks and peculiarities such as the absence of Kate’s wedding ring and unseasonal tree blossoms. Major news agencies like the Associated Press, Reuters, Getty Images, and Agence France-Presse, alongside the Press Association, subsequently withdrew the image from their platforms, citing a lack of clarification from the palace.

In response to the backlash, Prince William, the photographer, and Princess Kate issued an apology for any confusion caused, without providing details on the alterations made. This incident, informally dubbed “Kategate” and “Sleevegate”, has led to discussions about the authenticity of royal representation in media and the pressures faced by public figures to present a certain image.

Despite the controversy, recent Ipsos survey findings for The Standard show Princess Kate’s popularity remains strong in the UK, with 38% of Britons naming her as their favorite royal. Her appeal is particularly strong among women and the 55 to 75 age group. In contrast, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have seen a decrease in popularity amid ongoing controversies.

The situation underscores the challenges of navigating public and private life under widespread media scrutiny, especially for members of the Royal Family. The palace has chosen to remain silent on the specifics of the image manipulation allegations, leading to speculation and concern from both royal experts and the public.