Fake poster shocks with bloody Kate Middleton | STERN.de

Nose burst, lips swollen, cheekbones covered with bruises – no one has ever seen the Duchess of Cambridge like this. The photo reads "She reported him" in red letters. Below is the sentence: "But no one believed her - but she was left alone. But she was not protected - but he was not stopped. But she was killed anyway."

The harrowing photo was taken as part of a campaign to end violence against women. However, Kensington Palace was unaware that Kate's picture would be used. No permission was asked. The images were circulated across Europe, including on the streets of Milan and the southern Spanish coastal town of Los Alcazares.

Repeat campaign

Kate Middleton is not alone. Other women whose images were used in the campaign include US Vice President Kamala Harris, Spain's Queen Letizia and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. It can be assumed that the Italian artist and activist Alexsandro Palombo, who took the pictures, did not ask the other women in public life for permission either. Palombo said he wanted to "draw attention to the inadequate policy responses to the issue of gender-based violence" and underline the "ineffectiveness of the victim support and protection system". He admits he wanted to shock, but he didn't want to suggest that any of the famous people were actually victims of domestic violence. This is exactly what he is being accused of on social media.

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The intervention in the lives of those depicted does not seem to bother him. There was already a similar campaign in 2020 – a picture of Chancellor Angela Merkel was also used. The text message was slightly different: "I'm a victim of domestic violence. I get less money. I've experienced genital mutilation. I don't have the right to dress how I want. I can't choose who I am." A previous campaign from 2015 featured manipulated photos of the abused faces of US celebrities such as actresses Kristen Stewart and Angelina Jolie and pop star Madonna.