Blake Lively Shows Us the Art of Apologizing Like a Pro After Royal Joke Misstep

If there were ever a title for the reigning champs of pranks and playful banter in Hollywood, it would hands-down go to Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. These two have turned trolling each other into an art form, giving us all a masterclass in how to keep the spark alive with humor. But even legends sometimes find their arrows of humor missing the mark.

This chapter unfolds with Blake, in a light-hearted moment, deciding to ride the wave of “Photoshop fails” meme train poking fun at Kate Middleton’s Mother’s Day photo. Lively’s photo, which featured uncanny edits like a thumb that was far too large, was meant to help promote her new drink line.

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A move that, under normal circumstances, would have just been another day in the life of Hollywood’s most playful couple. However, the timing collided with more serious news — Middleton’s cancer diagnosis came a week later, casting Blake’s joke in an unintended light.

Recognizing that her comedic arrow had flown a bit off course, Lively stepped up with an apology that was, frankly, spot-on. She took to Instagram, not with fanfare or excuses, but with a genuine, heartfelt acknowledgment.

“I’m sure no one cares today but I feel like I have to acknowledge this. I made a silly post around this ‘photoshop fails’ frenzy, and oh man, that post has me mortified today. I’m sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always. ❤️,” her IG stories read, per TMZ. It was a moment of pure class, showing that she understood the gravity of the situation and responded with sincerity. The advertisement alluding to the Mother’s Day photo has been removed.

Blake’s no stranger to owning up with grace. Remember when she and Reynolds were called out for having their wedding at a former plantation? They faced the music and apologized for the oversight, acknowledging the hurt it caused.

“We’re ashamed that in the past we’ve allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is,” Lively and Reynolds wrote in a joint statement posted to each of their Instagram accounts. “We’ve been teaching our kids differently than our parents taught us. All of it…especially our own complicity. We talk about our bias, blindness, and our own mistakes. We look back and see so many mistakes which have led us to deeply examine who we are and who we want to become… We’re committed to raising our kids so they never grow up feeding this insane pattern.”

So, what’s the moral of our story? Even the best of jesters can misjudge their audience. But it’s not the slip-up that defines us; it’s how we pick ourselves back up. Lively’s sincere mea culpa is a refreshing reminder that humility and empathy never go out of style.

Before you go, click here to see Blake Lively’s best Met Gala fashion photos over the years.

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