As the heir to the throne, Prince Charles has always relied on wise counsel from his courtiers. However, with his recent cancer diagnosis, the need for sound advice has become even more critical.

The unnecessary controversy surrounding Prince William’s Mothering Sunday photograph of his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, and their children, served as a glaring example of the lack of prudent guidance. Following concerns raised by major picture agencies about potential digital manipulation of the image, Kensington Palace sources were quick to distance themselves from the editing, suggesting it was done by the Duchess herself.

In response, Catherine took to social media to issue a personal apology, expressing regret for any confusion caused by the family photograph. “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” she explained, signing off with a ‘C’ for Catherine.

However, it was concerning to see Catherine taking sole responsibility for the incident, as discussed on a recent episode of Palace Confidential. The couple’s communications team, led by Lee Thompson, failed to intervene and issue a statement on behalf of Kensington Palace, despite their responsibility for overseeing photographs released by the Palace.

Thompson, a seasoned communications expert, should have recognised the need to protect Catherine’s reputation, especially as she recuperates from major surgery. Instead, the Duchess was left to bear the brunt of the public scrutiny.

This incident raises questions about the couple’s instinct to shield their staff from criticism at their own expense. Despite Catherine’s generous gesture in accepting blame, it’s clear that the Duchess and Prince William are still deeply affected by past tragedies, such as the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha in 2012.

Saldanha’s passing, following a prank call regarding Catherine’s medical condition, left a lasting impact on the royal couple, reinforcing their determination to prevent public humiliation of their staff.

Moving forward, it’s crucial for Prince William to appoint officials who are willing to offer candid advice and ask difficult questions. Blind adherence to yes-men has no place in the palace, especially during times of crisis and scrutiny.