UK’s Royal Family Faces Crisis as Princess of Wales’ Editing Scandal Goes Global – News18

When friendly media outlets, loyal champions of the monarchy, question the Princess of Wales’ “PR disaster,” it’s evident the royal family faces a problem. UK’s Princess Catherine this week apologised and admitted to editing an official portrait of her released by the palace on Sunday.

The edits had prompted prominent news agencies to withdraw the altered image. Kate, 42, has not been seen at a public event since attending a Christmas Day church service, and underwent abdominal surgery in January, fuelling speculation about her health.

Online Speculations

Earlier, online posts speculated whether her marriage to William, heir to the British throne, was on the rocks. Others pondered whether Kate was recovering from an eating disorder or the cosmetic procedure known as a Brazilian butt lift. Proof of life landed on Sunday when the palace released a photograph they said was recently snapped by William, but eagle-eyed social media users began tearing it apart for inconsistencies, such as a misaligned zipper on Kate’s jacket.

The photograph dominated the front pages of UK newspapers landing on doormats on Monday. The US media also joined the bandwagon and started mocking the British royals. The Washington Post even published a cartoon showing Prince William holding a cardboard cutout of Kate, seemingly to mock the British Royals’ bid to portray normalcy in their family.

‘Obsessive need for secrecy’

This incident has intensified speculation over Catherine’s health and also tested the bond of trust between the royal family and friendly media outlets. Daily Mail columnist Richard Kay warned that “trust and integrity are precious commodities” in maintaining the public support that underpins the institution.

While the Daily Mail’s Kay said it was “easy to see why the couple acted as they did”, he offered a stark warning. “They are down to earth and unshowy. But it is this desire for ordinariness which conceals one significant flaw: a near-obsessive need for secrecy. “If pictures can be digitally altered, what else can be twisted? The British public adore the Royal Family but that adoration rests on them being told the truth. “There are precious commodities at stake here: trust and integrity.”

‘Lady Hanbury’

Amid the royal PR debacle, Lady Sarah Rose Hanbury’s name has once again emerged in the spotlight. The 39-year-old is linked to the British royals through her grandmother, Lady Elizabeth Lambert, a bridesmaid at Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding. While once in the same social circles as Prince William and Catherine, reports suggest a growing distance.

Popular US talk show host Stephen Colbert dug up old news when he mentioned William’s alleged affair with Hanbury during a recent episode of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” “The kingdom has been all aflutter by the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton. Well now, internet sleuths are guessing that Kate’s absence may be related to her husband and the future King of England William having an affair,” the US host said during Tuesday’s episode.

(With agency inputs)