Kim Kardashian has finally addressed the mystery behind the now-deleted photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle taken at Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday celebration last November.
The images appeared briefly on Instagram before vanishing, fuelling intense online speculation and conspiracy theories spanning everything from permissions drama to royal reputation management.
Now, speaking on the January 28 episode of Khloé in Wonderland, Kim has clarified what she describes as an entirely innocent misunderstanding.
“It was really innocent, which is so crazy,” she said. “Mum and Meghan have been friends for some years now and they have a really sweet relationship.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among the evening’s high-profile attendees at Jenner’s milestone celebration on November 8, held at the Beverly Hills home of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. Following the event, Kim shared a photograph with Meghan, while Jenner posted an image featuring both Harry and Meghan. Within hours, both posts had disappeared.
According to Kardashian, the decision had nothing to do with permissions or protocol, but rather timing.
“We took a photo, and then I think we were all going through them. We’re all communicating about what we’re going to post.” she explained. “We’re never ones to post without permission. We are, like—it’s not who we are.”
Khloé Kardashian echoed the sentiment, adding, “We’re very respectful.”
Kim went on to explain that the Sussexes later realised how the images could be perceived, as the date coincided with Remembrance Day, one of the most solemn occasions in the British calendar honouring members of the armed forces who died in service.
“After it was posted, I think they realised it was Remembrance Day, and they didn’t want to be seen at a party,” Kardashian said. “Even though it’s already up… and then taken down.”
Earlier that evening, Harry and Meghan had attended the annual Baby2Baby Gala, a charity event supporting mothers and children living in poverty, where Meghan’s long-time friend Serena Williams was honoured.
“That’s like a charity event so that was fine,” Kardashian noted. “But maybe not partying and dancing on the dance floor or whatever. So we took [the photos] down to respect Remembrance Day.”
However, what followed was a rapid escalation of online narrative, which Kardashian admitted she found dispiriting.
“If we had made it light and funny, I think it would have been received differently,” she says. “But I hated how it was received for everyone. That sucks.”
She added, “It was made into something so crazy and ridiculous that it didn’t have to be.”
Ultimately, Kardashian maintains the controversy amounted to little more than an unfortunate collision of calendars.
