Kate photo controversy: American Royals reporter weighs in
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A picture of Princess Kate has started an online frenzy, and it shows little sign of slowing down.
After the British Royal Family released a photo of the Princess of Wales to commemorate Mother's Day in the UK, the photo was retracted by several news agencies over concerns that it was edited.
It was the first official photo of Kate sent out by Kensington Palace since her abdominal surgery two months ago, and the idea that it was edited set off some wild online conspiracy theories.
A statement from Kate on Monday admitted the photo was edited.
Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024
"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," the message on Twitter/X said, signed with a "C" which denotes it was sent by Kate. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused."
CBS 58 spoke with Royals reporter Fred Weintraub to try to separate truth from fiction.
"You add all of this up, and there's some weirdness in it," Weintraub said.
Weintraub, who lives in Chicago and London part-time, has been covering the royal family for about 15 years and has been featured all over the country. He says he has heard all of the recent conspiracy theories surrounding Kate but doesn't put much stock in them. One theory is that the photo that started the online controversy was taken in November of 2023.
"Kate is sophisticated enough that she wouldn't be putting up, in my opinion, a picture from a year ago, or two years ago. That makes absolutely no sense," he said.
While Kate was photographed in public with her husband William on Monday, that has not quelled many of the rumors.
Weintraub says the simplest explanation for Kate's recent absence from public life, is the best one.
"I think she's recovering from major abdominal surgery, and it takes as long as it takes to recover," Weintraub said.