Kim Kardashian Shares Candid Explanation for Deleting Sussex Party Photos
Reality television star Kim Kardashian has publicly addressed the curious incident now dubbed "Photogate" within celebrity circles, revealing the genuine reason behind removing photographs featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from social media platforms.
The images were captured during Kris Jenner's lavish 70th birthday celebration, which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended alongside numerous high-profile guests. However, the photos swiftly disappeared from both Kim and Kris Jenner's Instagram accounts shortly after being posted, sparking widespread speculation and online debate.
The Remembrance Day Connection
During an appearance on her sister Khloé Kardashian's podcast Khloe In Wonder Land, Kim provided a detailed explanation that centred around timing rather than any personal disagreement. "It was really innocent, which is so crazy," Kim stated, directly refuting rumours of a falling out between her mother and the Duchess of Sussex.
"Mum and Meghan have been friends for some years now, and they have a really sweet relationship," Kim emphasised, adding context to their longstanding personal connection.
The crucial factor, according to Kim, was the calendar date. Kris Jenner's birthday party occurred on the evening of Saturday, 8th November, with the following day being Remembrance Sunday—a solemn occasion when the royal family traditionally gathers at London's Cenotaph for commemorative services.
A Matter of Timing and Perception
"We were told that it was totally cool to post," Kim explained regarding the initial decision to share the images. "And then after it was posted, I think they realised it was Remembrance Day and they didn't want to be seen at a party, even though it's already up, you know, and then taken down. And then I think they realised, like, 'Oh this was so silly.'"
Kim noted that while Harry and Meghan had attended the Baby2Baby charity gala earlier that same day—an engagement considered appropriate—images from the birthday celebration presented different concerns. The couple apparently felt uncomfortable with photographs showing them "partying and dancing on the dance floor or whatever" remaining publicly visible during the remembrance period.
"So we took them down to respect Remembrance Day," Kim concluded, framing the decision as one of consideration rather than controversy.
Turning Controversy into Comedy
The media personality revealed she has adopted a lighthearted approach to what she described as an overblown situation. "You got to laugh at, like, the situation sometimes and just, like, lighten it up," Kim shared, suggesting they could have transformed the incident into promotional content for her SKIMS brand.
"I was like, ‘We should do a full Skims campaign.’ Take the photo — even just us, like, I’ll shoot you at mom, you know, post it and then delete it, like, 30 minutes later. And then I say, ‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t have permission to post those photos for the campaign.'"
Kim expressed frustration with how the episode was interpreted online, stating: "I hated how that was received for everyone. That sucks. It was just made into something that was so crazy and ridiculous that just didn’t have to be."
Conflicting Accounts and Clarifications
Despite Kim's assertion that permission had been granted initially, conflicting reports emerged at the time from sources speaking to PEOPLE magazine. One insider claimed the Sussexes had explicitly declined photo consent by checking "no" on a permission form, while another source familiar with the James Bond-themed event countered that no such forms existed.
The incident highlights the complex intersection of celebrity culture, royal protocol, and social media etiquette in today's interconnected world, where private moments can become public talking points within moments.
