Harry and Meghan's Photographer Demanded an Apology, Says Photo Was Not Altered

 

The photo controversy of the Princess of Wales continues and now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been dragged into the issue.

Amid the manipulation issue of the family photo shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales on Mothering Sunday, March 10, which was followed with a "kill notice" or retraction from major news agencies, there were reports that some friends of Harry and Meghan commented on the blunder by Kensington Palace.

But it was denied by the camp of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that the couple's friends commented on the issue. However, the UK media immediately jumped onto the bandwagon of intrigues and branded Harry and Meghan as "hypocrites" after it emerged their pregnancy photo was also heavily altered. They also speculated that a willow tree has bee added to the photo.

Photo credit: Misan Harriman

The pregnancy photo (one of the two photos they released) in question was the image shared by the couple and their photographer, Misan Harriman, in February 2021 announcing Meghan's second pregnancy (Lilibet).

Photo credit: Misan Harriman

After reading the accusations of "altering" the image, the London-based photographer, Misan Harriman, denied the allegation and posted the original photo on his instagram account. He also demanded an apology from the UK media, tagging Daily Mail UK and The Telegraph.

His caption says: "The original Jpeg without the black and white grade. I expect a full apology and retraction from the Daily Mail and The Telegraph." He also added: "No trees or meadows were removed or swapped, this is the image straight out of [the] camera. Also, that is a Jacaranda Tree, not a willow tree".

Photo credit: Misan Harriman

Photo credit: Misan Harriman

In a separate video post on his Instagram, Misan Harriman said, “Unfortunately, there’s been an article on the Daily Mail saying that I have admitted to doctoring the pregnancy announcement portrait I took of Harry and Meghan.” 

He continued, “Apparently I was switching out trees and meadows and I admitted to this in an episode of a podcast called ‘Private Passions.'” the photographer sarcastically said.

He explained he had only made one edit to the photo after it was taken - to change it from a color photo to black-and-white.

The photo was taken remotely, because he was in a different location to the royal couple during the pandemic, and he used technology that allowed him to communicate with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex telling them how to pose, while remotely 'pressing the shutter' from a completely different place. 

No response yet from the UK media regarding Misan Harriman's demand for apology and retraction.