The Photogate embarrassment of the British royal family reflects a wider malaise
Princess of Wales with her three children. As it turns out, she clumsily edited a family photo hurriedly taken by her husband and put it out on social media. The image was promptly scrutinised by millions of eyes and many embarrassing errors were pointed out, leading to its withdrawal by major news agencies.
She issued a statement owning up to the careless editing attempt but ended up stoking even more malicious and wild speculation about not only her health but also her marriage. Their family, of course, is not an ordinary one like ours are. The British royals are subject to far more inspection and judgement than we all are and must be aware of it. Yet they still try to act «normal», which in this case meant posting a picture perfect family photo for Mother's Day.
They were not the only ones to put up lovely, laughing photos with the kids for the occasion. Millions did. It almost seemed as if not posting photos may have led to similar speculation in their own much smaller social (media) circles about the absence. That is what probably prompted the Waleses to post that hasty photo even though the princess is recuperating from surgery and may not have felt like getting dressed up (even in jeans and jacket) to be photographed.
Why was Catherine compelled to try her hand at editing the photograph so that everyone looked their best? In fact, why do so many of the general public also need to post perfect images of themselves and their families for the world to see, sometimes every day, on social media? Must we always
