Buckingham Palace Denies Meghan Markle Was Cropped Out of Prince Harry’s Birthday Tribute
Buckingham Palace has denied allegations that Meghan Markle was intentionally excluded from an official birthday tribute to Prince Harry. Let’s delve into the details surrounding this controversial incident:
The Birthday Tribute
- King Charles and Queen Camilla’s official Twitter account wished Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday, marking their first acknowledgment of the occasion in three years.
- The post featured a smiling image of Harry, taken in Dublin in 2018, during his and Meghan’s first overseas trip as a married couple.
Speculation and Denial
- Royal watchers noticed that the original picture also included Meghan, leading to speculation that she was purposefully cropped out due to her rift with the royal family.
- However, it was revealed that both the cropped image of Harry and the wider version with Meghan were uploaded by the Press Association to Getty Images six years ago.
- A Palace spokesman confirmed that the picture was not altered, debunking the claims of intentional cropping.
Royal Relations
- Harry has been at odds with the royal family, making the public birthday tribute a surprising gesture.
- Meghan’s relationship with the royal family has been strained from the beginning, as detailed by Harry in his memoir, "Spare."
The Olive Branch
- The decision to publicly honor Harry’s 40th birthday is seen as a potential olive branch by the royal family.
- It may also align with the tradition of recognizing milestone birthdays of non-working royals, as reportedly done by the late Queen.
Analysis:
This incident highlights the complexities of royal relationships and the power of public perception. Despite tensions within the family, gestures like birthday tributes can signal reconciliation or adherence to tradition. The denial of intentional cropping reinforces the importance of transparency in the royal image. Ultimately, this story serves as a reminder of the intricate dynamics at play in the royal sphere and the impact of public gestures on familial relations.