Dutch King Playfully Remarks on Kate Middleton’s Photo Editing Controversy

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William has acknowledged editing a family photograph featuring herself and her three children, which was initially posted on the social media accounts of the Prince and Princess of Wales on Mothering Sunday in the U.K. Her statement, disseminated across various social media platforms, followed the retraction of the image by several news agencies amidst suspicions of manipulation.

The altered picture has since become the subject of widespread speculation, fueling numerous conspiracy theories worldwide, particularly concerning Kate’s health and whereabouts. Her absence from public engagements has persisted since she underwent planned abdominal surgery in January.

Even Dutch King Willem-Alexander has become aware of the saga surrounding the image. During his recent visit to Zutphen, a city in the eastern Netherlands, the King encountered several schoolchildren wearing crowns and waving Dutch flags. In response to a child’s comment about “a photograph with your whole family,” the King quipped, “Really? At least I didn’t photoshop it,” eliciting chuckles from the audience.

According to a translation provided by Dutch royal correspondent Rick Evers, the King remarked, “Really? That was not Photoshopped, apparently!”

In contrast to the British Royal Family, the Dutch Royal Family is often perceived as relatively down-to-earth. Dutch royal children attend state schools, and the adults are known to hold regular jobs. Notably, King Willem-Alexander previously disclosed his part-time role as a commercial airline pilot for KLM, spanning over 21 years.

Despite any controversies surrounding the edited photograph, the Dutch Royal Family maintains amicable relations with their British counterparts. They have been photographed together at various events, including the Order of the Garter service and Ascot in 2019. Additionally, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands attended the coronation ceremony of King Charles III in May of the previous year.