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Kate Middleton photo scandal spirals into PR mess for royal family: ‘A shortsighted strategy,’ expert says

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The fallout from Duchess Kate’s photo-editing scandal continues to escalate into a complete PR mess for the royal family, according to experts.

Achilles spokesman Doug Eldridge said it was a “short-sighted strategy” to release Middleton’s first photo to calm public nerves.

Meanwhile, despite mounting problems at the palace, her husband Prince William appeared unfazed and brave in two public appearances on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, he visited the WEST Youth Center and seemed happy to be able to play basketball and other games with the kids.

During a visit to a youth center, Prince William said his wife, Duchess Kate, was an “artist”. (Frank Augstein/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince William leaves Princess Diana’s legacy event before Prince Harry appears

Video shared by sky news Prince William was also seen decorating cookies with his children as he commented on his wife’s artistic talent.

When someone told him they were impressed by his cookie decorating work, he replied, “My wife is an artist,” adding, “My kids are more artists than I am.”

Later that night, the Prince of Wales gave a speech at the Diana Legacy Awards, a charity dedicated to his late mother, Princess Diana, in which he mentioned his wife in passing, but there were no new details about her medical condition or the photo shoot debacle. Didn’t make it clear.

“I know she was honored to see the charity that bears her name doing such inspiring work to uplift young people around the world. “She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back and that everyone in need has the right to give back and support life,” he said. He spoke about his philanthropy, the New York Post reported.

Prince William giving a speech on stage at the Diana Award Ceremony

Prince William will give a speech at the Diana Legacy Awards on Thursday night, but he avoids mentioning his wife, Duchess Kate, her health or recent photo scandal. (Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

She continued: “Like the 50,000 young people who have won the Diana Award over the past 25 years, Kate and I have sought to highlight that legacy through our work.”

The latest blow to Middleton and the palace came via AFP News Agency, one of the world’s leading photo agencies, which declared that Kensington Palace was “absolutely” no longer a “reliable source of information”.

“As with anything, when your sources let you down, the bar is raised,” Phil Chetwynd, AFP’s global news director, explained on an episode of BBC’s The Media Show.

Kate Middleton close-up

Following the photo editing revelations, AFP news agency declared Kensington Palace no longer a “reliable source of information”. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images/File)

Kate Middleton scandal: Major photo agency announces Kensington Palace is no longer a ‘reliable source of information’

Instagram labeled a photo posted on Sunday, Mother’s Day in the UK, as an “altered photo”

“Independent fact-checkers maintain that the photos and images have been edited in a way that could potentially mislead people, but not because they were taken out of context,” the warning said. has been written.

Ms Middleton admitted to editing the image of herself and her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, after people noticed errors and inconsistencies, including not wearing an engagement ring or wedding ring.

Former British broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that the Princess of Wales was ultimately not to blame for the photo issue.

Kate Middleton’s photo data reveals new details about controversial photo editing

Kate Middleton's photo with children gets deleted by Associated Press

The Associated Press withdrew images of Duchess Kate and her children. She later apologized. (Related news organizations)

Middleton’s Mother’s Day problems discovered by internet sleuths:

  • Part of Charlotte’s left sleeve is missing.
  • Charlotte’s hair ends abruptly on her right shoulder.
  • Louis’s right thumb appears blurry. His little finger ends abruptly on his left hand.
  • Louis’ sweater has a mismatched pattern on the right arm.
  • The zipper on Middleton’s jacket is in the wrong position.
  • The right side of Middleton’s hair looks blurry.
  • The heel edges of Charlotte’s boots are distorted.
Duchess Kate wearing a purple suit with a serious expression

Former British broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that “she shouldn’t be blamed” for the overall fallout from the photo. (Max Manby/Indigo/Getty Images)

“The Princess of Wales published an edited photo with good intentions, and we shouldn’t blame her for the whole impact,” Chard said. “The private secretary and Kensington Palace’s public relations team should have advised and protected the Princess of Wales. Her photograph should not have been published as a news photo.”

Eldridge called the “strange” decision to publish the photo.

Mr Eldridge said: “Digital alteration of a photograph was a perplexing act to begin with, but it is even more strange that he allegedly used a photograph that had already been published in a commercial magazine.” Mr Middleton said: Internet detectives have speculated that the cover image of Vogue magazine may have been altered. Already used.

He continued, “AI software that can detect counterfeiting of expensive works of art or the editing or enlarging of photographs has long existed. However, in this day and age, digitally altering photographs is especially difficult. “This is possible if it relates to such a speculative situation.” It seems like a short-sighted strategy at best. ”

Duchess Kate's profile at sporting events

Achilles spokesman Doug Eldridge said releasing the photos was a “short-sighted strategy.” (Simon Brutie/Any Chance/Getty Images)

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Every photo of the princess that has been published has now been called into question, including the latest photo of the princess in a car next to Prince William, which apologized for a photo-editing error. This photo was taken inside on Monday.

Jim Bennett, the photographer who took the image, told Fox News Digital that he did not make any changes to the photo in Photoshop, other than adjusting the light levels as needed.

“Car shots can be unpredictable at the best of times and can be difficult when there are reflections in the glass,” he added. “By chance, it wasn’t until I checked the back of the camera to make sure Prince William was in the frame that I noticed someone sitting next to him. It turned out to be Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. Did.”

The Princess of Wales’ health and whereabouts have generally been shrouded in mystery since her last public appearance around Christmas. She was admitted to the hospital for a planned abdominal surgery on January 17, but has only been seen once since then, riding in the car with her mother, Carole Middleton.

Duchess Kate and Prince William walking with Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis

Middleton has been out of public view since December last year, and rumors regarding her health have continued. (Mark Cuthbert/British Press via Getty Images)

Kate Middleton’s photographer denies editing claims after car photo goes viral

The palace has not directly addressed Ms Middleton’s health, other than to say in a statement this month that the princess was “doing well,” following continued rumors that there was more going on behind closed doors. There is.

“It’s difficult to make any judgments about what is being said about Kate’s health. If it’s true, then like everyone else, I would hope and pray for the best,” Eldridge said. “What makes this seem ‘funny’ is that we have seen the royal family’s past media activity. In that sense, a clear and concise statement about the future Queen’s medical prognosis and timeline would be controversial. Everyone has an opinion, but the right to privacy is a measure of what it means to be a member of the royal family, and in Kate’s case, queen-in-waiting. It becomes distorted.”

He said: “Kate is definitely falling victim to the same standards she set for herself a year ago. When she gave birth to her children, she was photographed days later looking beautiful and proud of herself. She was in such a shape that I couldn’t believe she had given birth.” “And she just 48 hours ago she gave birth to a baby, so her feat of that superwoman is now going to be stacked against her, rightly or wrongly.” .”

“So that superwoman’s exploits are now likely to be stacked against her, rightly or wrongly.”

— Doug Eldridge, Achilles Public Relations

Duchess Kate and Prince William are by her side, holding baby Prince George.

Eldridge pointed out that, as in the past at the birth of her children, the princess was photographed immediately afterwards, making the image of a “superwoman” somewhat biased against her. (Anwar Hussain/Wireimage)

“Not only has this been a tumultuous week for the Prince and Princess of Wales, but it has also been an incredibly stressful few years for both of them,” Chard said. “They are both dealing with personal stress, which they are dealing with privately as a family, and the Princess of Wales has an additional medical burden.”

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“This frenzy isn’t just about concern for the Princess of Wales. People are sharing conspiracy theories that are clearly disgusting and sinister enough to send everyone over the edge,” she said. added.

The palace’s cryptic approach also led people to speculate that Charles III’s health was more serious than previously indicated.

King Charles revealed in February that he had been diagnosed with “a form of cancer,” according to a palace statement at the time. Prior to this announcement, he had undergone treatment for an enlarged prostate around the same time as Middleton’s abdominal surgery.

The monarch was absent from Commonwealth Day on Monday, but addressed attendees in a pre-recorded video, which was shared on the royal family’s official YouTube channel.

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“Over the past few weeks, I have been deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful wishes for my well-being, and in return I can only continue to serve you to the best of my ability throughout the Commonwealth. ” he said.

Meanwhile, with the palace and the Prince of Wales in crisis, Prince Harry’s wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, scored two big wins last week.

Read more about Meghan Markle’s big win here

On Thursday, she unveiled an Instagram account related to her new venture, American Riviera Orchard.

Although no official announcement has been made by Ms. Markle and Prince Harry’s publicists, an Instagram account for American Riviera Orchard was launched on Thursday, along with a website. The account’s bio says “by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.”

Meghan Markle walking on stage

Duchess Meghan launched a new business on Instagram and the palace is in turmoil after a judge rejected a defamation lawsuit by her half-sister. (Matt Hayward/Film Magic)

Markle also won a legal victory against her half-sister Samantha Markle after a defamation lawsuit against her was dismissed with prejudice. This means she cannot sue again.

Despite the rumors flying around and Middleton’s photo-editing mishap, Chard says the princess is a “perfect asset to the British royal family”.

She added: “Why can’t people be kind? Stop extorting personal information and sniping at the Princess of Wales. I’m glad the Prince and Princess are staying as far away from social media as possible.”

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“They will regroup and plan the best path forward,” Chard added.

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