On July 7, the official Twitter account for the Prince and Princess of Wales marked the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings with a solemn tribute. But it was a mistake in the tweet itself, not the message’s content, that quickly caught public attention. The post began with the phrase “And copy,” suggesting a copy-and-paste mishap. Shortly after, Kensington Palace deleted the tweet and replaced it with a nearly identical version, minus the internal note and with a slightly altered photo collage.

The blunder might have gone unnoticed in a different era. Today, royal communications are watched more closely than ever, especially online. And while the royal couple’s attendance at the Hyde Park memorial was intended to honor victims and survivors, the online conversation shifted focus. Critics noted that this slip was part of a growing pattern of mistakes by the palace’s digital team.

Side-by-side image showing a now-deleted tweet from @KensingtonRoyal featuring the phrase “And copy:” above a tribute message for the 7/7 London bombings, next to a screen confirming the post’s deletion.
Nothing says heartfelt tribute like forgetting to delete your ‘And copy:’ from the draft.

Public Memory and Precision Collide Online

The original post intended to commemorate the 52 lives lost and hundreds injured in the 2005 terrorist attacks. The Hyde Park service remains one of the UK’s most symbolic moments of remembrance. But the mistake undermined the event’s gravity. The phrase “And copy” suggested that a draft had been published prematurely, a detail that opened the door for mockery, speculation, and memes.

A second version of the tweet appeared shortly afterward, with the phrase removed and a new image added. Still, screenshots of the first post spread quickly. In isolation, the mistake might have seemed harmless.

But for many others, it echoed past missteps, like the March 2024 photo-editing scandal, when Kensington Palace released a heavily altered image of Kate Middleton and her children. Major news agencies, including Reuters and AP, issued rare “kill notices” instructing outlets to remove the photo due to manipulation, sparking backlash over transparency and trust in royal communications.

Royal Comms Under Pressure

This latest incident adds to the perception that Kensington Palace struggles with its public image in the digital age. Social media, once seen as a way to connect with younger audiences, now poses risks for institutions that rely on flawless messaging. Errors like this linger because the public rarely forgets what gets deleted.

Beyond the jokes, the moment reflects a broader issue. The palace’s digital strategy often appears reactive, not proactive. And as trust in institutions wavers, audiences notice every inconsistency, no matter how small. The tweet was supposed to be a tribute. Instead, it became a reminder that even the smallest oversight can overshadow a message of national mourning.

Discover more from Feminegra

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.