THAT photo was supposed to reassure everyone on the Princess of Wales’ health. Instead, it compounded the conspiracy theories. As we look forward to her return to the public stage, Emily Andrews unravels fact from fiction
Poor Kate! What a torrid time she’s had of it recently.She was admitted to hospital in January for planned ‘abdominal surgery’ and she should have been allowed to rest and recuperate at home before her eventual return to public duties.
Instead, sinister and defamatory conspiracy theories multiplied online – from divorce to affairs – and, with an absence of official news from Kensington Palace, reached fever pitch, leaving both William and Kate deeply and understandably upset.
William pulling out of his godfather’s memorial service and a fuzzy paparazzi picture of Kate and her mother Carole returning home after the school run only heightened concern.
The hashtag #whereiskate was trending on social media, Kensington Palace appealed for calm and seemingly everyone was talking about the Princess of Wales.
It was into this maelstrom that the picture of Kate and her three children was released onto their official social media channels in an attempt to quell the tide of speculation.
It had completely the opposite effect.
Despite it being a charming image, taken by Prince William and ostensibly to celebrate Mother’s Day, it was quickly picked apart for its sloppy photo editing and within hours six of the world’s biggest picture agencies (supplying pictures to global media organisations) had withdrawn it due to the shot having been ‘manipulated’. In effect, they were saying this was not a genuine picture.
Nothing to hide
Kate then issued an extraordinary apology, admitting she had ‘edited’ the picture as she just wanted it to be a ‘nice picture of her kids’.
It was a personal and PR disaster.
So what is the truth?
I have been reporting on the royals for almost 15 years and routinely speak to many Palace and insider sources.
It pains me to even have to spell it out that yes, Kate did have major abdominal surgery. She has been recovering at home, in Windsor, with her husband and children.
No, she is not in hiding until she grows out a new fringe, recovers from plastic surgery on her bottom or even threatening to divorce Prince William. These are all complete lies – and indeed there is much worse being said (all equally untrue).
So, what did happen to that picture? Given that Louis has a baby tooth missing
