Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has become the center of attention in another potential big drama in the world's most controversial royal family.
In just the span of a few days, more people are now looking for more clues or spreading rumors regarding the Prince and Princess of Wales. All thanks to one photo.
If there is one thing to take note of from this whole debacle, the British Royal Family needs a lesson on how the Streisand Effect on social media works.
The Search for Kate Middleton: How it Started
The whole debacle started after some users, back in February, had started looking for Middleton after her "planned abdominal surgery."
The Princess of Wales was last seen officially in the public during Christmas. It does not help that some are spreading rumors of a marital dispute between her and Prince William, her husband.
In a somewhat reactionary move to placate the public, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the couple posted a picture of Middleton with her children during Mother's Day on the UK.
Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 10, 2024
Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C
📸 The Prince of Wales, 2024 pic.twitter.com/6DywGBpLLQ
While there seems to be nothing inconspicuous at first glance, several news outlets like the Associated Press and Reuters issued a "Kill Notification" on the photo to remove it from their archive.
The reason: the photo was allegedly been "manipulated."
Rumors, Attention Start to Pour In
While speculations on the health and marital status of the royal couple have been going on for quite some time, discussions have been mostly contained within people closely following controversies within the Royal Family ever since.
However, since the "Kill Notification" from media outlets, more people, including content creators, have started to share their two cents on the topic.
Several notable influencers and internet sleuths on X and TikTok, usually not covering such drama, have begun posting their own "investigations" on the matter, adding more fuel to the fire.
Despite Middleton supposedly admitting to having digitally edited the picture herself, the so-called Pandora's Box has already happened and more media outlets are bringing more attention to the couple.
Kate Middleton, Prince William Controversy: A PR Nightmare
True to the definition of the Streisand Effect, the attempt to cover up or hide information from the public has only backfired to the point that it has now gained a wider audience.
An issue that is supposed to be resolved fairly quickly has become an international sensation that could possibly go on for months.
It does not help that the Royal Family has been noted before for keeping conflicts and dramas in the family behind closed doors, even those that warrant public attention.
