It just can’t be. For inconceivable. For botch. If it were a movie script, it would be immediately rejected as implausible. But reality always surpasses fiction. Seeing the Princess of Wales after her mysterious abdominal operation had almost become a state necessity. Not even if it were to silence the multiple conspiracy theories that are circulating in the absence of an already incomprehensible transparency on the part of Kensington Palace about this surprise intervention that is requiring so many days of recovery.
In theory, she could be seen for the first time in a photograph taken by a paparazzi last Monday. From her He appeared with her mother inside a car, with sunglasses and an appearance that many related more to her sister Pippa than to hers. Conspiracy theories surfaced again.
Throughout last week, rumors circulated about a possible official reappearance in photographic format coinciding with the British celebration of Mother’s Day last Sunday. And finally it was. Her famous smile with her three children seemed to dispel all doubts about her health. But it was just a mirage that didn’t last long. Major agencies, such as Getty, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Shutterstock and Reuters, removed the photo, which was signed by the Prince of Wales, because there were serious doubts about it. The experts of these media found clear traces of manipulation.
At this point, it is worth making a first reflection: is it so difficult to have professionals who retouch the photos without it being noticed? It is an evil that not only the British royal house has suffered. Perhaps the answer is, in this case, what Kate Middleton herself offered today. The princess has responded to the criticism by publishing an apology on her social media and arguing that she retouched the image herself: “Like many other amateur photographers, I occasionally experiment with editing. “I want to express my apologies for any confusion caused by the family photograph we shared yesterday.”
OK. Apologies accepted. Furthermore, some editing errors detected seem a priori innocent: what if a sleeve and Princess Charlotte’s skirt do not fit, what if the zipper on Catherine’s jacket disappears at some point, what if the girl’s hair falls over her shoulder right ends abruptly… Although there are also a couple of details that those who have analyzed the photograph with a magnifying glass alert: the future queen is not wearing her wedding ring and the tree in the background is too green for the time of year in which it was The snapshot was taken just last week.
Now, if the manipulation corresponds to an innocent lack of skill on the part of the Princess of Wales with photo retouching programs, why has Kensington Palace refused to publish the original untreated image, as captured by the prince? William? This denial has helped fuel even more conspiracy theories. There are even those who claim that the image has actually been created by Artificial Intelligence.
Various British media claim that the now famous photograph has turned out to be counterproductive and that it has created exactly the opposite effect to that with which it was disseminated. It is referred to as “a huge own goal”.
The crisis in the photo is more relevant than it may seem, and not only because it does not quell the concern that exists regarding Catalina’s health, but above all because the credibility of the heirs of the Crown is affected. Royal commentator Peter Hunt assures that “it is detrimental to royalty” and adds what hurts most: “people will now wonder if they can be trusted.”
Let us remember that all this occurs at a crucial time, with King Charles III dealing with an uncertain cancer (another lack of transparency on the part of the British royalty); and, furthermore, on a special day, that of the Commonwealth, which has been totally overshadowed by the controversy.
Perhaps we should pay attention to the mischievous Louis, the youngest son of the Princes of Wales, who appears in the discussed photo with his fingers crossed, as if it were all a big lie.
