When Kim Kardashian posted a photo with Meghan Markle from Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday party last November, she probably didn’t expect it to spark international controversy.
But the image—along with Kris’s photo featuring both Prince Harry and Meghan—was swiftly deleted, triggering waves of speculation about consent forms, royal protocol, and celebrity drama.
Now, Kim has finally broken her silence on “Photogate.”
On the January 28 episode of Khloé Kardashian’s podcast “Khloé in Wonderland,” the SKIMS founder revealed what really happened that night—and why those Instagram posts vanished.
The Real Story Behind the Deleted Photos
When Khloé brought up what she called “The Photogate from mom’s 70th,” Kim was quick to clarify the situation.
It was really innocent, which is so crazy. Mom and Meghan have been friends for some years now. And they have a really sweet relationship.
According to Kim, she and her family took photos with Harry and Meghan at the James Bond-themed bash held at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s Beverly Hills home on November 8.
The Kardashians went through their usual protocol before posting anything.
We took a photo. And then I think we were all going through them. We’re all communicating about what we’re going to post. We’re never ones to post without permission. We are, like—it’s not who we are.
Khloé backed up her sister, emphasizing their approach to social media etiquette.
We’re very respectful.
Remembrance Day: The Reason for Deletion
Kim revealed that initial permission was granted for posting. But timing became an issue.
We were totally, you know—we were told that it was totally cool to post. And then after it was posted, I think they realized it was Remembrance Day, and they didn’t want to be seen at a party, even though it’s already up, you know, and then taken down.
Remembrance Day, observed annually on November 11, holds profound significance in British culture. The day honors armed forces members who died in service.
For Harry—a military veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan—the occasion carries deep personal meaning. Appearing to party during such a solemn commemoration could be viewed as disrespectful.
Harry actually wore a poppy on his tuxedo that evening, the traditional symbol of remembrance worn throughout November in Commonwealth countries.
The Charity Connection
Before arriving at Jenner’s celebration, Harry and Meghan attended the Baby2Baby Gala, where Serena Williams was honored. Baby2Baby is an annual fundraiser supporting mothers and children living in poverty.
Khloé mentioned this detail during the podcast, prompting Kim to explain the distinction.
Well, it’s like a charity event. So, like, that was fine, but maybe not partying and dancing on the dance floor or whatever. So we took them down to respect Remembrance Day.
Photos from a charitable event aligned with the somber nature of Remembrance Day. Images from a lavish birthday party? Not so much.
Kim’s Playful SKIMS Campaign Idea
Ever the entrepreneur, Kim saw an opportunity to lean into the controversy with humor.
You got to laugh at, like, the situation sometimes and just, like, lighten it up and be if everyone’s taking it the wrong way, like, lean in. I was like, ‘We should do a full Skims campaign.’ Take the photo—even just us, like, I’ll shoot you at mom, you know, post it and then delete it, like, 30 minutes later. And then say, ‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t have permission to post those photos for the campaign.’
Khloé responded positively to the meta-marketing concept, telling Kim she should actually execute the idea.
That’s what I was like—that would have hit, so funny.
Setting the Record Straight
Kim expressed frustration with how the situation was interpreted by media and the public.
If we just made it light and made it funny, you know, I think it would have been, like, received differently, but I hated how that was received for everyone. That sucks.
She emphasized that the entire incident was blown wildly out of proportion.
It was just made into something that was so crazy and ridiculous that just didn’t have to be.
At the time, media reports ranged from claims that Harry and Meghan “declined photo-sharing consent” to contradictory statements that “there were no consent forms” at the bash.
Kim’s explanation clarifies that consent was given initially—the deletion came only after recognizing the unfortunate timing.
Inside the Jenner Birthday Bash
According to sources, Meghan looked stunning in a black wrap-style dress “that showed off one leg,” perfectly matching the James Bond theme.
She looked very glamorous and fit the theme perfectly.
Harry complemented her in a classic tuxedo, complete with his remembrance poppy.
An insider described the couple’s arrival as warm and affectionate.
They arrived hand-in-hand and looked very happy.
The Takeaway
What initially appeared as potential celebrity drama was actually a simple case of cultural sensitivity and calendar awareness. Kim confirmed that her family received permission before posting, communicated respectfully throughout, and deleted content once they understood the significance of the timing.
The revelation also highlights Kris Jenner’s ongoing friendship with Meghan—a relationship that predates much of the royal drama that has dominated headlines in recent years.
Sometimes, a deleted Instagram post is just that: deleted out of respect, not controversy.