Misan Harriman at the 96th Annual Oscars held at at the Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California© Gilbert Flores

Misan Harriman responds to 'dangerous' claim Meghan Markle's pregnancy picture was Photoshopped

The photographer is a close friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex…

March 13, 2024

Misan Harriman  has responded to an article claiming he used Photoshop to alter Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's pregnancy announcement back in 2021.

On Wednesday, the photographer, 46, took to his social media account with a video addressing the claims he altered the image, which he denies. The story came just days after it was revealed Princess Kate edited her Mother's Day photo on Sunday. 

Talking directly to the camera, Misan said: "Hey, I, I just got back to reality from the Oscars and 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. 

"Apparently I was switching out trees and meadows. And I admitted to this in an episode of a podcast called Private Passions. This is crazy. I was interviewed, I think in 2022, by Michael Berkeley."

Misan goes on to explain the technology he and Michael used during lockdown - something, which allows photographers to have control of someone's iPad to shoot photos as if they were in person pressing the button. 

"Michael asked me a few leading questions in this interview. What I mean by leading questions, it's what some journalists do where they make a statement as fact and they hope you respond or add something to it. I get that a lot in regards to Harry and Meghan[...]  And that's exactly what happened."

In the clip, which he played for his followers, Michael asks Misan: "They weren't actually under a willow tree, they were lying outside in a meadow, Harry and Meghan, when you took a photo of them?" To which he replied: "They were lost in, in their life at home, in their garden, comfortable celebrating new joy, new life, the fortitude of hoping for light in life after such a loss that they went through with a miscarriage. And so it really was a particularly joyous image to celebrate life itself."

Misan then went on to clarify: "So, how that exchange could amount to me admitting to doctoring an image is insidious and really dangerous journalism. Any mention of meadows and willow trees came out of the person doing the interview, not my mouth. I did my best to ignore it and focus on what I wanted to talk about."

Princess Lilibet smiling on her first birthday© Misan Harriman
Misan took Lilibet's first birthday portrait

He then revealed the only thing he edited in the image was making the colour scheme black and white.

Misan has captured several milestone moments for the couple including Princess Lilibet on her first birthday in the gardens of Frogmore cottage, as well as incredible behind-the-scenes moments from major events like the Invictus Games.

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