Prince William refused to let surprise royal storm derail his day - analysis by Svar Nanan-Sen

Prince William refused to be dragged into a royal storm that was sparked by a photograph he had taken just days earlier.

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Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 12/03/2024

- 14:59

The Prince of Wales took the Mother's Day photo of Princess Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

Prince William refused to be dragged into a royal storm that was sparked by a photograph he had taken just days earlier.

On Sunday, Kensington Palace released the first official photo of the Princess of Wales following her abdominal surgery.


The picture of Kate alongside her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, was snapped by William.

The first official photograph of the Princess of Wales in over two months was always going to be scrutinised and it did not take long for several edits to be spotted.

Kate Middleton

The picture of Kate alongside her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, was snapped by William.

Kensington Royal

Trusted international photo agencies such as Getty, Reuters and AP "killed" the picture due to fears that it had been manipulated.

A day later on Monday, the UK national news agency, PA also "killed" the photo after Kensington Palace did not respond to its request for urgent clarification.

It was unclear who had edited the photo but Prince William was at the centre of the unfolding story as the person who had taken the picture.

However, less than an hour after PA's statement, Princess Kate took to social media to explain the edits.

Prince William

Prince William was at the centre of the unfolding story as the person who had taken the picture.

Getty

Kate apologised for the confusion that her edits to the photograph had caused and signed the message from the royal couple's joint X account with a C to indicate it was a statement solely from Catherine, the Princess of Wales.

The couple were later spotted leaving Windsor Castle in a car together and while Kate headed for a private appointment, William made a very public appearance at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.

The Prince of Wales joined Queen Camilla in leading the Royal Family at the event in the absence of King Charles.

Prince William

The Prince of Wales joined Queen Camilla in leading the Royal Family at the event in the absence of King Charles.

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Prince William

William looked to have brushed off the storm that had engulfed Kensington Palace just a few hours earlier.

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William looked to have brushed off the storm that had engulfed Kensington Palace just a few hours earlier.

The heir to the throne remained composed and focused on his duties throughout the Commonwealth Service.

Later in the day, the Prince of Wales undertook another royal engagement in London, celebrating the Earthshot Prize Launchpad.

The Earthshot Prize is a project William is extremely proud of and the royal looked in good spirits throughout the day despite having to weather a storm that will have caught himself, Kate and Kensington Palace by surprise.

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