The Princess of Wales chose a video celebrating nature over a traditional family photo for Mother's Day on Sunday, marking a departure from her usual practice. The move comes a year after she faced controversy over an edited image posted for the same occasion.
Kate, 43, shared a clip on Prince William and her official social media pages featuring UK landscapes such as woodlands, fields, beaches, and ocean scenes. The video included slow-motion shots of a daisy unfurling, fog rolling down a hill, and a ladybird on a blade of grass. An accompanying message read: 'Over the past year, nature has been our sanctuary. This Mother's Day, let us celebrate Mother Nature... C.'
Last year, Kate issued a personal apology after an edited Mother's Day portrait sparked widespread speculation. She admitted to editing the photo herself, saying: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion...' At the time, she was recovering from abdominal surgery, and her cancer diagnosis had not yet been made public.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman described the media's reaction to last year's incident as 'ludicrous' and 'over exaggerated', noting that doctored photos are routine in the celebrity industry. He praised Kate's swift apology, saying: 'She took it on the chin, she dealt with it, and that was the end of it.'
In previous years, the royals have marked Mother's Day with personal photos or glimpses of celebrations. In 2023, Kensington Palace released portraits of Kate with her children. This year's video suggests a different approach to avoid further media backlash.
It is believed Kate spent the day at home in Windsor with her children during their Easter break. The family may later travel to their country home in Norfolk for walks, Easter egg painting, and baking.
