In a world where every pixel of an image can be scrutinised, it’s no surprise that even a royal family member like Princess Kate Middleton can’t escape the lens of criticism. Recently, the Princess faced backlash for editing her Mother’s Day photo before sharing it with the world. But before we sharpen our pitchforks, let’s take a moment to zoom out and see the bigger picture. (nice pun right)

First and foremost, let’s remember that Princess Kate is not a professional photographer, though documented as a keen amateur photographer. She has openly chosen to use her personal photos over those taken by the professionals to share online. That being said she’s not Annie Leibovitz or David Bailey; she’s simply a mum with a camera, trying to capture a precious moment with her family. We can’t hold her to the same standards as we would a seasoned pro. If your Nan can’t master the selfie angle, cut Kate some slack. Ok so yes she is a Royal but we see people going on about how they are just people and deserve no special treatment so lets keep that in mind when going mad over this latest editing issue.

Media speculation has been rife, with armchair critics quick to pounce on every pixel of the edited image. But let’s be real – who among us hasn’t tweaked a photo before posting it online? We live in an era where filters and editing apps are as ubiquitous as tea and biscuits. (Reminds me I am hungry) It’s become second nature to enhance our images, whether it’s to smooth out a blemish or brighten up a dull sky. Hell, even our own phone cameras do this automatically and for the most part we assume it hasn’t. They do, they have and you are oblivious to it.

The impact of this criticism extends beyond just one royal family’s photo. It sets a precedent that even amateur photographers should be held to unattainable standards of perfection. This pressure to present flawless images can be detrimental to the creativity and confidence of budding photographers everywhere. Let’s encourage experimentation and self-expression, rather than stifling it with unrealistic expectations.

Imagine a world where all edited images are banned from online content. It would be a barren wasteland of blandness, devoid of creativity and individuality. We’d be left with nothing but raw, unfiltered reality – and let’s face it, reality could use a touch-up now and then. I mean it.

But before we get too carried away with our righteous indignation, let’s not forget the countless times editing has caused headaches for companies, brands, and celebrities. Remember the infamous Photoshop fails where limbs disappeared into thin air or where models were contorted into anatomically impossible shapes? Let’s just say, it’s not a good look. I mean seriously Kardashians are always called out for it.

I cant help but think this is a media storm in a teacup. This was hyped to be a proof of life photograph by the media when all I see was a mum (albeit it a famous one) sharing a photo with her kids. Its really not that deep.

So, let’s cut Princess Kate some slack. She’s just a mum trying to capture a special moment with her family. And if a little editing helps her to do that, who are we to judge? Let’s focus on the love and joy in the photo, rather than nitpicking every pixel. After all, life’s too short to sweat the small stuff – especially when there’s a cuppa waiting to be brewed. Cheers to imperfectly perfect photos!