Breezy Explainer: Why news outlets retracted Kate Middleton’s Mother’s Day photo

According to the news agency Reuters, several news organizations have retracted a photograph released by Kensington Palace featuring Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, after a post-publication analysis revealed it “failed to meet their editorial criteria.” The photograph was accompanied by a thank you message from the princess, marking her first public appearance since undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

The image, distributed by Kensington Palace on Sunday to commemorate Mother’s Day in Britain, shows the Princess of Wales seated on a garden chair, dressed in jeans, a sweater, and a dark jacket, with her three children: Prince George, aged 10, Princess Charlotte, aged 8, and Prince Louis, aged 5.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” read a message accompanying the photograph on the social media platform X.

“Wishing everyone a happy Mother’s Day,” read the message, signed “C” for Catherine. In a statement, the palace stated that Kate’s husband, Prince William, took the photograph “in Windsor earlier this week”.

However, several news agencies later withdrew the image due to concerns about manipulation.

The 42-year-old princess, whose husband, Prince William, is the heir to the British throne, has primarily been recovering at their home in Windsor, west of London, since being released from the hospital on January 29.

Kate Middleton has not been seen since Christmas day

Kate has been significantly absent from public royal events since Christmas Day, prompting social media concern about her health.

Princess underwent surgery on January 16, with no information regarding her condition or the purpose of the surgery provided. However, Kensington Palace, as well as Prince William and Kate’s office, confirmed that the surgery was unconnected to cancer.

During her operation, Kensington Palace suggested that Kate would not resume her formal duties until after Easter, near the end of this month.

Officials wanted to provide only “significant updates” on her rehabilitation.

Kate’s hospitalization coincided with the announcement that William’s father, King Charles, was undergoing surgery for a benign prostate disease. He was later diagnosed with a completely different type of cancer.