Kate Middleton Scandal Has US Laughing at Britain

Kate Middleton’s photo-editing scandal has received so much attention that major brands and even the government of New York City have been openly mocking the situation on social media.

The Princess of Wales, who spent almost two weeks in a hospital after having abdominal surgery in January, has been at the center of controversy and conspiracy theories during her recovery, with many on social media describing her as missing.

On March 10, Kensington Palace released a Mother’s Day portrait of Kate with her children, which the princess later said in a statement had been edited, further increasing the theories around her absence.

While British media outlets have taken a more sympathetic approach to Kate during her recovery, major U.S. brands and even some public services appeared to treat the situation as a lighthearted social media trend.

On its official X account, NYC Sanitation posted a Photoshopped photo of Kate behind a garbage bin, writing: “Kate’s been found! She’s putting her trash out in bins! Be like Kate.”

The City of New York’s account reposted the image, adding: “BREAKING: upon investigation, this image has been photoshopped. However, those rat-proof lidded bins are VERY REAL. Use them.”

Prior to the social media posts, a journalist elicited laughter during a press briefing after asking Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre whether the White House ever digitally altered images of Joe Biden.

“Are you comparing us to the what’s going on in the U.K.?” she replied, adding, “Why does the monarchy have to do anything with us? No, that is not something that we do here.”

Major brands also contributed to the social media trend, including Merriam-Webster, which posted an edited photo of Kate and Prince Willian on X, writing, “The Merriam-Webster Citation Archives???”

Dublin Airport also posted an edited image of William and Kate, writing, “Great to see passengers looking so happy and relaxed this morning.”

Prague Airport reposted the image and added its own, with the caption: “They’ve just arrived from @DublinAirport. 🇮🇪👀. Where to next?”

After Kensington Palace released the doctored Mother’s Day photo, its reputation received some damage, with the news agency Agence France-Presse saying it was no longer considered a trusted source.

However, the palace received some support over the weekend, as British newspapers cited sources close the royal family.

Roya Nikkhah, the royal editor at The Sunday Times, quoted a “friend and adviser” to Kate and William who said the reaction of international picture agencies that issued “kill notices” over Kate’s edited image was “hypocritical.”

She suggested Kate may discuss her experiences with the public soon, once she returns to work. Another source said the speculation on social media around William and Kate’s marriage was “just cruel.”

That speculation was not, however, only on social media, as Stephen Colbert joked on The Late Show on March 13 about an affair rumor that Kensington Palace denied in 2019.

Chris Ship, the royal editor at ITV News, wrote on March 18 that Kate may eventually speak publicly about her post-surgery experience, adding, “If and when she does, according to a friend of hers, a lot of people are going to feel a lot of regret about the pressure Kate was put under to appear in public during her recovery.”

That day, a new video emerged of William and Kate at Windsor Farm Shop, though the change in Kate’s appearance, without make up and following surgery, only fanned the flames of the conspiracy theories.

Jack Royston is Newsweek‘s chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek’s The Royals Facebook page.

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