Unionists demand apology from Dublin Airport over photoshopped Princess Kate picture

Prominent unionists are demanding an apology from Dublin Airport over a photoshopped picture of Princess Kate and her husband, Prince William. 

The picture - a clearly photoshopped image of the duo walking inside the terminal - was posted in jest on Dublin Airport's X (formerly Twitter) account on March 19 with the caption, "Great to see passengers looking so happy and relaxed this morning." 

The post was viewed almost 9 million times, with 105,000 likes, 10,000 retweets and almost 1,000 comments. 

The picture was posted amid a media and social media frenzy on the whereabouts of Princess Kate - who had been missing from public life for several weeks - with many people turning to conspiracies to explain her absence. 

The Princess of Wales posted a video on March 22 clarifying she has taken a step back from her duties to undergo treatment for cancer.

However, her explanation hasn't appeased everyone as some social media users continue to insist the video is an AI 'deep fake'. 

Since Princess Kate's revelation, unionists such as News Letter editor Ben Lowry and TUV councillor Allister Kyle have called for an apology from the airport. 

In a tweet posted on X today (March 25), Lowry wrote, "It's extraordinary that Dublin Airport still has this post up three days after it emerged that we had seen little of William and Kate because she is battling cancer but had not divulged that until she had to do so to quell relentless and cruel speculation." 

Some social media users agreed with him, with one X user stating, "It's quite disgusting that it hasn’t been removed." 

Another stated, "It's absolutely disgusting." 

However, others were quick to condemn his reaction. 

One user wrote, "I don't think that the tweet was mocking the couple at all. It was a comment on the tabloid frenzy that was happening and as your article points out it was days before the cancer revelation." 

Another person wrote, "So let me get this straight Ben. Media publications the length and breadth of UK were engaged in all sorts of light hearted 'mockery' of the princess in the week before, but you tweet about the only Irish based one? Interesting mindset you have." 

Another wrote, "And despite all the calls for privacy journalists like you are still writing about them." 

According to the Irish Independent, Councillor Kyle has written to the airport to complain that the image should be removed. 

He reportedly wrote, "I have today written to Dublin Airport to register my protest at their decision to mock Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales who is currently recovering from cancer.

"We have all been profoundly moved by the Princess’s bravery in going public about something which is deeply personal and something which she and her family need to deal with away from the glare of the media."

He continued, "To say, therefore, that it is in poor taste for the official X (formally Twitter) account of Dublin Airport to still be displaying a tweet mocking the Princess and her husband is an understatement.

"Dublin Airport have come in for considerable criticism on X and have disabled replies to that particular post. Disgracefully, however, it has been left up.

"It is time for Dublin Airport to remove this disgusting post, explain how it ever appeared, what action will be taken against those responsible and apologise to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales." 

Dublin Airport has been contacted by Iconic Media for comment.