Blake Lively makes groveling apology for Kate Middleton 'Photoshop' jibe before Royal revealed cancer diagnosis: 'I am mortified today'

Blake Lively has made a groveling apology for making an ill-advised Kate Middleton joke days before the Royal announced she has cancer.

The actress, 36, was slated by fans after she plugged her drinks range on March 13 - and took aim at the photo-editing controversy around a family shot of the Princess of Wales, 42, and her children released on Mother's Day in the UK.

She wrote: 'I’m so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new @bettybuzz & @bettybooze products! Now you know why I’ve been MIA.'

In the wake of Middleton's announcement of her health crisis on Friday, Lively wrote on Instagram: 'I'm sure no-one cares today but I feel I have to acknowledge this.

'I made a silly post around the 'photoshop fails' frenzy and, oh, man, that post has me mortified today.'

Fans had told Lively she should be 'ashamed of herself' and accused her of hypocrisy when she had kept her children's names and genders a secret while 'mocking' Kate for wanting privacy. 

Lively's original post has since been taken down. 

Blake Lively has made a groveling apology for making an ill-advised Kate Middleton joke days before the Royal announced she has cancer (pictured last month)

In the wake of Middleton's announcement on Friday that she had cancer, Lively wrote on Instagram: 'I'm sure no-one cares today but I feel I have to acknowledge this

In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Kate revealed  that she has cancer which was detected after her abdominal surgery

'I'm sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.'

Blake was among a number of celebrities who made crass quips about Kate's time off work - with Kim Kardashian, Andy Cohen and John Oliver all making light of the drama.

From Instagram posts to ill-informed late-night bits, they cast doubt on whether it was really the Princess spotted with Prince William at a farm shop, and compared her jokingly to the 'Weekend at Bernies'. 

None - except Blake - have retracted their comments since Kate's sad announcement. 

Kardashian has been criticized by fans for her 'on my way to go find Kate' Instagram post - days before the Royal announced she was battling cancer.

On Sunday, Kardashian, 43, shared snaps posing up next to her sports car while weighing in on speculation about the Princess of Wales' whereabouts - but the post faced an avalanche of criticism after Middleton revealed her diagnosis on Friday.

Enraged followers flooded the comments section, writing: 'You should take this down!', 'Kate Middleton has cancer Kim' and 'She’s having cancer treatment… this didn’t age well.'

Others wrote: 'Busy getting treatment for the cancer she has been diagnosed with'; 'I would take this down and apologize, she has cancer'; 'take your s****y post about Kate down!' - before labelling Kardashian a 'snake'.

The actress, 36, was slated by fans after she plugged her drinks range on March 13 - and took aim at the photo editing controversy around a family shot of the Princess of Wales, 42, and her children. She wrote: 'I’m so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new @bettybuzz & @bettybooze products! Now you know why I’ve been MIA'

At the time of publication, Kardashian's post remains live with the caption unedited.

Before the diagnosis was revealed Kardashian commentators had already branded the star 'classless', 'tacky' and 'ignorant' for fueling speculation on Kate's whereabouts following her abdominal surgery. 

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Meghan King, 39, previously shared posts about hiring a psychic to find out about the princess' whereabouts and has since apologized for feeding into the rumors.

Since the future queen's cancer diagnosis was revealed, the reality TV personality took to her Instagram Stories later on Friday to express remorse and said she is 'sending prayers and good vibes'.

'I saw all the news about Kate Middleton, and it's so horrible,' she said in a video. 'I mean, I'm the same age as her so it really hits home and just sending prayers and good vibes her way.'

She said she felt 'really bad' but still continued on about one of her harmful theories. 

'I feel really bad that I participated in the speculation about extramarital stuff, which, I mean, it still could be the case but it's not at the forefront here,' she added. 'Just sending her so many prayers and good vibes — healthy vibes — and I do think she will have a full recovery.'

In another post, she noted that Kate 'seemed stoic yet positive' despite the shocking update.

'I feel awful for speculating about her marriage bc a health scare always takes the cake. However, my speculations about her health were eerily correct. But that doesn't matter,' she said. 

'What matters is that Kate is surrounded by the best medical professionals and shrouded in love and support as she recovers — which she will, fully, and she will be stronger and more powerful than ever.'

Kim Kardashian hit a big-bum note as she signed off an Instagram post with: 'On my way to go find Kate'. Perhaps she could pick up some dignity down there in the gutter?

Enraged followers flooded the comments section, writing: 'You should take this down!', ' Kate Middleton has cancer Kim' and 'She’s having cancer treatment… this didn’t age well'

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Meghan King, 39, previously shared posts about hiring a psychic to find out about the princess' whereabouts and has since apologized for feeding into the rumors. Since the future queen's cancer diagnosis was revealed, the reality TV personality took to her Instagram Stories later on Friday to express remorse and said she is 'sending prayers and good vibes'

'I saw all the news about Kate Middleton, and it's so horrible,' she said in a video. 'I mean, I'm the same age as her so it really hits home and just sending prayers and good vibes her way'

She said she felt 'really bad' but still continued on about one of her harmful theories. In another post, she noted that Kate 'seemed stoic yet positive' despite the shocking update about her cancer diagnosis

Pop singer Halsey also spoke out in wake of Kate's admission 

Bravo star Leah McSweeney called on Andy Cohen to apologize to the Princess

In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Kate revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

It came days after she was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home, and she said her husband had been 'a great source of comfort and reassurance' during her cancer fight.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen said: 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. 

'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

Catherine's cancer was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January. Kensington Palace has said it will not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and has asked people not to speculate.

The King – who is also currently undergoing cancer treatment himself – and the Queen were both been informed of the news. 

'In a statement tonight His Majesty said he is 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did' and remains in the 'closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law'. 

Lively's joke took aim at this photo of the Princess of Wales with her children in her Mother's Day portrait, which ignited controversy and the Royal said she had edited

The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) 'need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment'

The King and Queen said they 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time'.

It is not known if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were told in advance of the 6pm announcement. 

'We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,' the couple said in a brief statement to Harper's Bazaar. 

Harry, who once described Kate as the 'big sister I never had' and fondly called her 'Cath', is estranged from his brother and sister-in-law. It remains to be seen whether he will fly back to the UK to see her.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Princess of Wales has 'the love and support of the whole country' as her cancer battle was revealed this evening and good wishes came in from around the globe, including from the White House where Joe Biden is 'incredibly sad to hear of the news'. Her bravery at revealing her cancer to the world has also been praised.