Buckingham Palace Faces Backlash Over Cropped Photo of Prince Harry's Birthday Celebration
In a surprising turn of events, Buckingham Palace has found itself at the center of controversy following its social media birthday wishes for Prince Harry. The post, celebrating his 40th birthday, featured a photograph of Harry alone, leading to speculation that his wife, Meghan Markle, had been deliberately cropped out. This incident has reignited discussions about the strained relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the royal family, particularly following their exit from royal duties in 2020.
The photograph in question was taken during a 2018 trip to Dublin, Ireland, when Harry and Meghan were still active members of the royal family. Observers quickly noted that the original image, which included Meghan sitting next to Harry, was available but not used. Critics accused the palace of attempting to snub Meghan, especially given the ongoing feud that has characterized Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royals since their departure.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace clarified that the image used was not altered or manipulated, explaining that it was simply the version received from Getty Images. The Getty agency confirmed that it is standard practice to crop images for social media posts, which has further fueled the debate over whether this was a calculated move to distance Meghan from the royal family. Despite the palace's assurances, the incident has sparked intense public interest and debate over the dynamics within the royal family.
- ## The Context of the Royal Family's Social Media Practices This incident is not the first time the British royals have faced scrutiny over their social media practices. Earlier this year, **Kate Middleton** faced backlash for altering a photo in a Mother's Day post, which led to speculation about her health following her cancer diagnosis. The palace's quick response to clarify the situation with Prince Harry's birthday post reflects a desire to manage public perception more effectively after previous missteps. The choice to publicly acknowledge Harry's birthday marks a significant moment, as it is the first time the royal family has done so since 2021. This gesture may be seen as a potential olive branch, despite the ongoing tensions. The palace's decision to include Harry in their social media celebrations, while excluding Meghan, highlights the complexities of their relationship and raises questions about the future of Harry's ties to the royal family.
