In today’s day and age, social media users are no stranger to a bad case of Photoshop. Take Vogue’s 2017 March cover fail or Modeliste Magazine’s viral manipulation of Zendaya as examples. If done poorly enough, even the least critical eyes can pick out a wonky waistline or blurred effect.
However, the most recent victim of a lazy editing job has surprised all corners of the Internet.
On March 10, the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton made an Instagram comeback after not being publicly seen since Christmas. The photo, featuring her and her three children, Princes Louis and George and Princess Charlotte, has more to it than meets the eye. A distorted cuff sleeve, obvious airbrushing, and indented limbs are just a few of the inconsistencies in the highly-memed Mother’s Day photograph.
After the Internet picked up on the edits, leaving both Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, abuzz with speculation, the Princess of Wales responded, claiming “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.” Princess Kate apologized for the media frenzy caused by her careless mistake, wishing royal fans a “happy Mother’s Day.”
A week later, on March 18, the Princess came under fire again after Getty Images announced another one of her photographs had been digitally altered. The portrait, featuring the late Queen Elizabeth, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was released last year for the Queen’s 97th birthday. Getty Images claimed the image had been “digitally enhanced at source,” placing another Photoshop-failure target on Princess Kate’s back.
The scandal, which has fast become a stan-Twitter favourite, comes after a long hiatus of appearances from the Princess of Wales, following her abdominal surgery in January. The internet obsession with her absence and amateur editing skills speaks to a broader cultural phenomenon of photo manipulation and doctoring and the misinformation that can ensue.
In the world of artificial intelligence (AI), the pressure to attain social media perfection has never been higher. The swift dissemination of even the slightest mistake by editors underscores the intricate art of professional editing and the remarkable capability of manipulating images to flawless standards.
Coupled with the relentless gossip mill surrounding the royal family, particularly the scrutiny of Kate and William’s relationship, the Princess’s editing oversight sparked a frenzy of fan theories online. Suspicions regarding the motives behind her use of Photoshop quickly grew rampant, demonstrating how swiftly audiences capitalize on celebrity imperfections.
Yet, amidst this digital pursuit of perfection, there lies a parallel demand for honesty and authenticity in celebrity culture.
The scrutiny and virality of the Princess of Wales’ minor error reflects a growing expectation for public figures to embrace a genuine online presence. Her apology endeared many online, who resonated and related to the mother’s desire to post an attractive photo of her family. However, some agreed true authenticity and relatability would more readily stem from an un-edited, imperfect photo of the royal family.
Why this particular case of royal gossip has grasped the Internet beats me, but it seems to have struck a nerve in the collective consciousness. Perhaps it’s the combination of royal intrigue, technological mishaps, and the perennial fascination with celebrity imperfection and the intimate details of their personal lives.
In a landscape where algorithms dictate visibility and the number of likes informs validation, the temptation to curate a flawless image is palpable. Yet, as evidenced by the Princess’s missteps, the pursuit of perfection can backfire spectacularly, exposing not only the fallibility of AI but the inherent contradictions of our image-obsessed culture.
Perhaps, amidst the filters and facades, there lies an opportunity for a more authentic form of connection—one that transcends the superficial and embraces the messy, imperfect reality of being human. As we navigate this brave new world of digital manipulation and manufactured perfection, may we remember true beauty lies not in flawlessness, but in vulnerability and authenticity.
Tags
Beauty Standards, Photoshop, Royals, Social media
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