News Agencies Call Recent Kate Middleton Photo ‘Manipulated’
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Multiple news organizations have removed a recent photo of Kate Middleton from their press libraries, citing concerns over manipulation. The news comes amid ongoing speculation and conspiracies about the health and wellbeing of the Princess of Wales, who has not been since she underwent abdominal surgery in January. The photo was originally meant to be the first of her shared since her surgery.
The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse announced Sunday that there were editorial concerns over inconsistencies in the photos—echoing speculation that trended online hours early.
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“At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image. No replacement image will be sent,” the AP said in its kill statement. “Please remove it from all platforms, including social, where it may still be visible.”
Posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram account on Sunday, the U.K.’s Mother’s Day, the photo shows Middleton smiling with her three children in a photo allegedly snapped by Prince William. Kensington Palace told CNN that the picture was taken earlier this week in Windsor. Many of the flaws pointed out on social media center around Middleton and the children’s hands— distortions viewers argued can often be signs that a photo has been altered or aided by AI.
“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” the caption reads, “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C,” short for Catherine.
Middleton stepped back from her royal duties since her January procedure, the details of which have still not been fully revealed; Kensington Palace had previously said the abdominal surgery was not cancer-related. She is expected to return to public duties around Easter.
The Princess of Wales has reportedly spent the past few months recovering at home, but that didn’t stop the social media rumor mill from churning out theories about Middleton’s absence, including that she was sequestered with The Masked Singer or Traitors, she was in costume at the ill-fated Willy Wonka live experience, or that she and Prince William are in the process of divorcing.
The conspiracies became so prevalent and outlandish — the BBL operation, for example — that Kensington Palace took the uncharacteristic step of issuing a statement to stop the gossip. “Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates,” a representative for the royal said. “That guidance stands.”
The Palace has not issued a statement since the kill notifications were announced.
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