Kate photo scandal could have devastating impact on 'ruined' tradition
The Princess of Wales could be likely to bring a sweet royal tradition to a halt following the controversy over an edited Mother's Day photo, an expert has warned.
Kate admitted editing a photo of her and her children taken by Prince William to mark Mother's Day on Sunday and issued a personal apology for any confusion after it was accused of being digitally altered. The photograph was the first to be issued since the princess’s abdominal surgery but it was withdrawn by several international pic agencies because of suspicions it had been manipulated. It also came as palace aides last week hit out at "the madness of social media" after a series of conspiracy theories over Kate's whereabouts spiralled out of control.
The Mother's Day snap of Kate with her three children (PA)
Kate apologised for any confusion over the photo (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)Royal sources said the Princess of Wales made "minor adjustments" to the photo taken by William and that the Waleses wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother's Day. It's become something of a tradition for Kate to offer informal family snaps that have been taken by her to mark the likes of her children's birthdays.
But according to royal biographer and expert Ingrid Seward, Kate could very well never do this again. She told the Mirror: "Perhaps William and Kate will decide it is just not worth the trouble of taking their own pictures and releasing them to the media? It might be a wise precaution.
"When Prince William was a toddler, Charles and Diana allowed a few photographers and a TV camera into their walled garden at Kensington Palace. The pressmen duly photographed little Wills and the pictures were distributed to newspapers, agencies and TV channels. It worked well.
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"Then Diana began using her favourite photographer Tim Graham to take her ‘private’ photographs. His pictures were distributed to everyone who wanted them. No problem. They only ever released one of their own photographs which was a snapshot of baby Prince Harry on board HMY Britannia.
"The recent controversy has caused Kate and William considerable stress and upset. The Princess of Wales shouldn’t have had to apologise for providing us all with a beautiful photograph, albeit taken by her husband."
Ingrid, who is also the editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, now believes Kate should have been better protected amid the controversy. She added: "With social media jumping all over the story of Kate’s long recuperation, the photograph released took on massive significance. It should certainly have been checked before its release on Mother’s Day to protect Kate.
"Of course, photographs are air-brushed. But this picture has massive significance. It was to prove to the world that Kate was recovering well. She was happy to be pictured in the Adelaide Cottage garden with her children. But once it was revealed the snap had been altered by her photoshop, its authenticity was called into question.
"The whole idea was ruined. Just what Kate didn’t need when she was recovering from an operation. She has had huge sympathy, but she must wish she had never agreed to the idea. Sadly she may not again."
Ingrid Seward is editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine and author of My Mother and I – the story of the relationship between the late Queen and King Charles.
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