Lovely new photo of Catherine and the children has been released

[BirthdayRainbow]

I know there will still be people saying it proves nothing, it was taken pre op but why not just enjoy the photo..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68526972

Unless it was just a quick snap taken by Wills on his phone and it’s a bit blurry in places?

This is as much fun as reading the conspiracy nutters comment on the NASA or the UNICEF posts spouting their utterly absurd theories based on their "research" in YouTube videos.
We really deserve to get extinct out of sheer stupidity.

TBF, the closer you look the more tweaks you can see in the photo.

It may just be a case of the intern being let loose on Photoshop, but it seems ill judged at best.

A bit - or a lot - of photoshopping is not going to attract a kill order, as long as it doesn't change the news, so to speak.

I assume the changes amount to a misrepresentation of the truth, which is why the AP et al have done this. A pp mentioned the same thing.

Complete blunder.

The whole thing is weird.

Firstly, between two press offices, how do they not have the resources to get a decent graphic artist.

Secondly, they have close relationships with media, contacts galore, and all sorts of professionals at the Palaces. How did these minor issues go unnoticed ? Surely the photo crossed many desks and even Kate’s art history/photographer eyes before being released.

Finally, even if her hands were swollen she has makeup, hair and staff on hand - send them down to a jeweller or phone on of their many contacts to get a cheap, replacement gold band (it wouldn’t be noticed in the photo that it wasn’t the original). Such a small move would avoid media reactions. She’d have access to a library of past accessories and ones in the pipeline for future engagements.

The point of the photo was to in part,
reassure the public and this hasn’t been done.

Even the BBC have said that they predict changes in media coverage of Kate when she recovers and returns. I assume their opinions are based on solid sources. I think this indicates that there is an issue with the media pressure on her.

I think that's the thing that's puzzled me and I agree with your post. Minor Photoshop and photo editing is somewhat normal in the media. Whatever prompted this is bigger than Photoshop/ minor tweaking/ retouching.

A kill order is also a very big deal in the journalism space. And there have been 4 kill orders based on this photo, IIRC - AP, Getty Images, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse (AFP).

This reflects badly on Kensington Palace and this whole PR dumpster fire is a direct result of William's need for controlling the Press. BP and the King handled his cancer announcement and subsequent communication beautifully, whilst still giving the King privacy.

Now I understand why the Queen refused to abdicate

😂💯

They are all wearing normal, but classic clothing, in that lovely photo. They are the sort of clothes that parents who are sensible, and who want to buy good quality clothes for themselves and their children, will buy. These type of parents want to dress their children in clothes that can withstand being worn to climb quite a few trees, or den making, or rolling down hills in, ones that it is worth sewing buttons back on to, or darning the odd rip from when their child ended up in a prickly bush.

They are also the sort of clothes that are so well made that they can be passed onto siblings. There is nothing about the Wales' clothes that shout "look at me", or that could cause anyone seeing them to feel uncomfortable, or even embarrased. I don't think that wearing ripped jeans, T shirts with rude slogans on, trousers/jeans that show half of your bum when you bend forward, nylon, and ill fitting clothes, is necessarily something to boast about.

Unfortunately, when I had a young family (many, many, moons ago) a lot of their clothes came from supermarkets, which was because we couldn't afford anything else. Although I did always insist on Clarks shoes, or similar ones, ones that you needed to be properly measured for. I also always tried to get at least reasonable quality winter outdoor clothes for them. I was lucky in that my Dear Mum would usually pay for the more expensive, well made clothes, for her Grandchildren. So @Aquarius1234, I don't think that their clothes are at all old fashioned, they are just not items of clothing that are made to the standards of the lowest common denominator...

God I wouldn’t want to be a royal or anyone famous tbh for all the money in the world.

Currently on steroids and bedrest again and I’d hate to have to haul myself up to get myself ready for a photo to show the world. Poor woman.

Surely they've photoshopped lots of previous photos. The one where Louis was missing a finger. And there was one when Charlotte was a baby and it looked as if an image of the baby had just been plonked into the photo. And those across the water do it too. Wasn't there one where Megan had three legs? Or maybe it was only one leg. Very crudely done anyway. So I don't see why this one should be such a big deal.

Just listening to WCBS news radio. Earlier today they mentioned the photo release and implied it was in response to conspiracy theories. They just announced the photo was pulled because of a child's arm. The announcer both times sounded very amused.

The whole situation reminds me of a Windsors episode, with the York sisters deciding to go into the PR business and creating havoc.

This one. Charlotte appears to be floating without being visibly held. Such an odd photo.

It looks like Kate's arm is holding Charlotte under her dress.

I knew it had been doctor's when I saw it yesterday morning: that isn't kates body.
Who wears a black polo neck and cardigan for a mother's day photo? That was chosen to make it easier for them to stick kates head on the top.

Why are all 3 kids crossing their fingers? Even if its a "sibling thing" Why weren't they told to uncross them?

Called it. Hope PPs now apologise.
(I'm a huge fan of W&K btw but I knew straight away that photo wasn't quite right)

They're not. Only the youngest is (Louis?).

IT'S FAKE

Are we supposed to believe William has photoshop skills?

No, I’m not a fan, not really. But I am interested. I do think there’s a certain level of accountability owed to the British public.

Oh I’m losing it now. I posted earlier in the “it’s a lovely photo theme” but a PP mentioned that Louis has six fingers in his right hand and it does look weird.

5 creases / six fingers at the top, but 5 digits below. Finger “3” seems to disappear.

No idea how that happened. That’s shoddy and a good spot (sorry, can’t remember your name, fast moving thread!)

I’ve no idea what to think. Hopefully it’s a vanity project of a touch up gone wrong and not something more serious.

Well that's the crux of the issue isn't it?

Why is this one so big a deal that the press have pulled it?

Number 2 and 3 are the same finger. That crease between the numbers is the knuckle.