Palace Denies Meghan Markle Snub in Prince Harry's Birthday Tribute

Recently, Buckingham Palace found itself at the center of a controversy after social media users accused the Royal Family of cropping Meghan Markle out of a birthday tribute photo for Prince Harry’s 40th birthday. The photo, taken during a 2018 visit to Dublin, originally featured both Harry and Meghan. The Palace quickly denied these accusations, stating that the image used for the post was not altered in any way and that the photograph was shared exactly as received from the Press Association, which had issued two versions of the photo—one with both Harry and Meghan and another close-up of just Harry ​(The Express Tribune​)(PopCulture)​(Peoplemag).

The controversy arose as the Royal Family posted a rare birthday tribute to Harry, marking their first public acknowledgment of his birthday since 2021. Given the strained relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family, some interpreted the choice of a solo image of Harry as a snub to Meghan, leading to the rumors that she had been intentionally cropped out. However, royal insiders clarified that the choice of the solo image of Harry was not meant to slight Meghan but was simply a decision based on the available photos ​(The Independent).

Royal fans and critics had mixed reactions to the post. Some saw the gesture as a positive sign of reconciliation between Harry and his family, while others were more skeptical, noting the ongoing tensions between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the Royal Family. The photo in question was taken during Harry and Meghan's first overseas engagement as a married couple, just two months after their 2018 wedding​ (Peoplemag).

This incident is just another chapter in the ongoing public scrutiny of the Royal Family’s relationship with Harry and Meghan, with each side maintaining different narratives about the reasons for their rift. The Palace’s denial of any intention to crop Meghan from the image underscores the sensitivity surrounding the Sussexes' treatment by the Royal Family ​(PopCulture).

Bibliography:

1. Tribune - "Royal Family Shuts Down Claims They Snubbed Meghan Markle in Prince Harry’s Birthday Post." Accessed September 2024.

2. PopCulture - "Buckingham Palace Denies Cropping Meghan Markle Out of Prince Harry's Birthday Photo." Accessed September 2024.

3. The Independent - "Buckingham Palace Says It Did Not Crop Meghan Out of Harry’s Birthday Photograph." Accessed September 2024.

4. People - "Prince Harry’s Birthday Picture: All About Photo King, William Used." Accessed September 2024.

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