Kate Middleton addresses claims of ‘editing’ Mother’s Day photos
Princess Kate Middleton issued a public statement after speculation arose that her family’s Mother’s Day portrait had been doctored.
“Like many amateur photographers, I occasionally experiment with montage,” I read an X post shared via the official Prince and Princess of Wales account on Monday, March 11. “I wanted to apologize for any confusion the family photo we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone who celebrated had a happy Mother’s Day.”
The message was signed with a “C” for Catherine.
Kate’s statement came a day after multiple news outlets were reportedly notified to remove the Mother’s Day photo, which was shared by Prince William and his wife on Sunday, March 10. The portrait showed Kate, 42, sitting with her and William’s three children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
The royals celebrated their first Mother’s Day following Kate’s abdominal surgery, which she underwent in January. “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the past two months,” read the caption of the upload. “I wish everyone a happy Mother’s Day.”
According to the caption, the photo was taken earlier this year by 41-year-old William. (Kate’s wedding ring was noticeably absent from her left hand.)
Hours after the portrait was shared online, it was reported that several international news agencies – including the Associated Press – refused to distribute the photo, claiming that “the source manipulated the image.” Royal reporter Omid Scobie shared a screenshot of a message instructing the AP to “kill” the image and remove it from all platforms. Kensington Palace had no comment at the time.
Rumors began to circulate about Kate’s whereabouts in the aftermath of her surgery. Kensington Palace announced on January 17 that Kate’s procedure was “successful” and that she would remain in hospital for “10 to 14 days”. Her recovery would continue at home, with the palace noting that Kate would “probably not return to public duties until after Easter,” which falls on March 31.
Princess Kate rose through the ranks of the royal family, quickly transforming from a commoner into the future Queen Consort of England. The Princess of Wales met her future husband, Prince William, at university, and the couple married in 2011 after almost a decade together. They proceeded to welcome son […]
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children; and her wish for her personal medical information to remain private,” read the palace statement, adding that Kate looks forward to returning to her royal engagements “as soon as possible.”
Kate Middleton
Karwai Tang/WireImageNo further details have been given about the nature of Kate’s surgery. Prior to her hospitalization, she had not been seen since December 2023. As speculation swirled online with theories about her well-being, her rep tried to shut down the chatter last month.
The world watched in awe as Prince William and Princess Kate married at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011, and years later, ordinary people are still in awe of the couple. Although they didn’t tie the knot until 2011, Kate and William first met ten years earlier while studying history at Scotland’s University of St. […]
“Kensington Palace made the timelines of the Princess’s recovery clear in January and we would only provide important updates,” said a statement to We weekly on February 29. “That guideline remains in place.”
A royal source previously addressed rumors that Kate was in a coma following her surgery, telling us earlier in February that there was “absolutely no truth to the report” and that Kate was “recovering at home.”
William, for his part, briefly addressed the ongoing speculation about his wife through his representative on Wednesday, March 6. “His focus is on his work and not on social media,” the representative’s statement said.