Kate Middleton says power of photography lies in 'capturing the moment' without a 'staged setting' in resurfaced video - as social media goes wild following royals' Mother's Day post blunder

A video where the Princess of Wales is talking about how the power of photography lies in 'capturing the moment' without a 'staged setting or a perfect studio' has resurfaced following her Mother's Day post blunder.

Speaking on This Morning in 2020, Kate Middleton, 42, gave tips for anyone looking to experiment with a camera as she launched her Hold Still campaign.

The project, which joined forces with the National Portrait Gallery, was designed to capture the 'spirit, mood, hopes and fears' of the nation during the pandemic through the medium of photos.

'Well I'm very much an amateur photographer,' she told the programme. 'I sort of learn along the way.

'But actually... during this time I spent lots of time bringing out my camera and taking photographs of the children cause they are always around us and we're always doing stuff together, which has been great.

Speaking on This Morning in 2020, Kate Middleton, 42, gave tips for anyone looking to experiment with a camera as she launched her Hold Still campaign

'One of the fantastic things about photography is really capturing that moment so it is not staged setting, it is not setting it out perfectly, its not clearing your house away so you've got a perfect studio set-up but it's really capturing those moments that feel real to you and that capture the moment or an expression or a feeling I suppose.

'That's the power of photography - it can capture a moment and tell a story.'

Kate is known for being a keen photographer and has taken several official portraits of her three children. 

It comes as - in an astonishing move, the royal admitted yesterday that she 'edited' an image showing her celebrating Mothering Sunday with her children.

The princess said in a rare personal message on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she 'occasionally experimented' as an 'amateur photographer'.

She apologised for any 'confusion' the photograph had caused, after six global picture agencies sensationally pulled the image from their wires and libraries – an unprecedented reaction to an official royal photograph – amid concern that 'the source has manipulated the image'.

The kill notices by the agencies added fuel to the fire as a litany of conspiracy theories continue to swirl about Kate's health.

There were questions over everything from why Princess Charlotte's wrist did not match the sleeve of her cardigan, to Prince Louis' strange fingers. 

It comes as - in an astonishing move, the royal admitted yesterday that she 'edited' an image showing her celebrating Mothering Sunday with her children

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account after the furore

The photograph of Kate and her children, taken by Prince William at the family home in Windsor on Friday, was the first to be issued since her abdominal surgery in January.

Although the couple have regularly issued something personal to mark Mother's Day, it was hoped the picture might also quell vicious social media speculation about the nature of the princess's condition.

Instead, the royal blunder resulted in another public explosion of conspiracy theories.

Publicly taking the blame for the furore, the princess wrote: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.

'I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C.'

Kensington Palace said it would not reissue the unedited photograph of Kate and her children, which in itself sparked further debate.

Last night, the Palace faced growing pressure over the debacle with claims it has damaged public trust. The row overshadowed yesterday's Coronation Day service at Westminster Abbey, which was being led by Queen Camilla for the first time – accompanied by Prince William – in the King's absence as he undergoes cancer treatment. His Majesty recorded a video message for the first time instead.

Yesterday Kate was seen in the back seat of a car with her husband as he left Windsor to travel to London for two public engagements. It is understood she was en route to a 'private appointment' and she did not accompany William publicly.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline her 'sudden appearance is not a dignified response' to what has occurred.

The project, which joined forces with the National Portrait Gallery, was designed to capture the 'spirit, mood, hopes and fears' of the nation during the pandemic through the medium of photos. Kate pictured speaking talking to 'Hold Still' entrants during a visit to the archive in the National Portrait Gallery to mark the book's publication

Kate is known for being a keen photographer and has taken several official portraits of her three children. Kate in 2011

He said: 'When journalists have been saying they want to "see" Catherine, no one, as I understand it, meant in quite this way. A sudden appearance, which she has just made, is a knee jerk reaction which lacks what royals must have, that is dignity. 

'This business has also overshadowed Commonwealth Day. There should never have been two and a half months where she seemed to disappear, we should, occasionally, have felt we were in touch whilst it was important she felt she had kept her privacy.

'William and Catherine are under tremendous pressure, which is particularly horrible if one has been seriously ill as she has. However, the mistake of editing the photograph, though extremely embarrassing, is not a major calamity. 

'What it shows is that she looks well again and that her children look very happy. However, their current handling of public relations is potentially perilous. 

'What the small but growing number of republicans want is to mock the monarchy. 

'Whilst Queen Elizabeth lived this was all but impossible. Ill-health and the crises affecting the Sussexes and Yorks have given them a good opportunity. The public relations at the Palaces needs to be responsive and disciplined which it clearly is not. William and Catherine are the world’s most glamorous and high profile royal couple. 

'They need dignity to continue to do good for their charities and project soft power like no one else can for Britain.

'They must put this embarrassing episode behind them and appear publicly confident. It will take time and common sense, kept in touch, the people will respond...'