![WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks at a press briefing at the White House on March 12, 2024 in Washington, DC.](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/8ce15195c42c803e70fc607655d4e4f2.jpg)
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has officially entered the chat regarding the increasingly bizarre controversy over Kate Middleton’s whereabouts — throwing just a touch of shade at the British Monarchy in the process.
Speculation about Middleton’s whereabouts reached new heights after the Associated Press announced that they were pulling a Mother’s Day photo of the Princess of Wales because it appeared to have been “manipulated.” The photo was released by Kensington Palace to quell concerns after Middleton hadn’t been spotted publicly since she reportedly underwent abdominal surgery two months ago.
Obviously, the doctored photo only had the opposite effect and sent conspiracy theorists into a frenzy.
Jean-Pierre was asked during a press briefing if the White House ever doctored photos, and she was ready with a clapback.
“Are you comparing us to what’s going on in the UK?” she asked. “What does the monarchy have to do anything with us? No, that is not something that we do here.”
However, she did wish the Princess of Wales well. “We will offer speedy recovery, and I’m just gonna leave it there. I don’t have anything else to share,” Jean-Pierre said.
The controversy over what’s going on with Middleton has been the source of endless speculation. An official Kate Middleton account purportedly run by the Princess of Wales apologized for the photo — admitting that it was doctored. However, online people questioned why the incredibly wealthy royal would be editing and posting her own photos while recovering from surgery.
Comedian John Oliver said on “WWHL” that he thinks it could be a “weekend at Bernie’s situation” — a film where the main characters spend the weekend pretending that their dead boss is still alive with a series of antics.
Some of the British media has already found a way to turn the situation on Megan Markle, arguing that she should speak out in defense of her sister-in-law.
It’s a bizarre situation, with rumors flying in every direction. But until Middleton is shown in a non-doctored photo, it’s unlikely that the rampant speculation will die down anytime soon.