The whole world eagerly awaited the first images of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, after her prolonged absence due to abdominal surgery.
Surprisingly, the controversial American portal ‘TMZ’, known for its sensationalist coverage of celebrities, was the one who managed to get the exclusive of the coveted photographs.
While the British media covered the news of the ‘TMZ’ report, none dared to publish the images, generating a great controversy around this decision.
Controversy over new Kate Middleton photos
The wait had been long, and the curiosity to know the state of health of Kate Middleton after more than two months without public appearances was enormous.
When the first photos of the princess were finally leaked, it was not on the covers of the British tabloids where they were seen, but on the website of the American portal.
Considering that it was one of the most sought-after stories, probably the first media that could publish them shelled out a few tens of thousands of dollars.
Apparently, the British tabloids did not bid for photographs, as that would have caused the price to skyrocket, and money is what they have plenty of.
It should be remembered that the first images of Meghan Markle in Canada after the “Megxit” cost $40,000.
This unexpected turn of events perplexed many, as it was expected that it would be the British media, with its close relationship with the royals, who would get the scoop.
However, ‘TMZ’s’ fame for its sensationalist coverage of celebrities and its unconventional approach seem to have been the key factors that allowed them to get their hands on the images.
Although several British media reported on the ‘TMZ’ report, none of them dared to publish the pictures and we are sure that it was not for lack of budget.
It should be noted that in both the United States and the United Kingdom the market allows that, once certain hours have passed since the first exclusive publication, the images are sold to the rest of the media at a lower cost.
The decision of the British media not to publish the photos came as a surprise to many, given the enormous public interest in knowing the state of health of the Princess of Wales, since she is a very popular public figure in England.
Some speculate that this self-censorship could be due to the respect and deference that the British media have towards the royal family, as well as the possible consequences of breaking the tacit agreement not to disclose information without Buckingham’s consent.
On the other hand, ‘TMZ’, not being subject to the same restrictions as the British press, was able to publish the photos without fear of reprisal.
Its position as an American tabloid gave it the necessary freedom to obtain and disseminate the images, taking advantage of the enormous media interest surrounding the case.
While some applaud the British media’s decision to respect Kate Middleton’s privacy, others criticize what they see as excessive self-censorship and a lack of transparency.