Kate Middleton Conspiracy Theory Goes Viral
(Chaz Anon) The latest viral conspiracy theory is that Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, died during a recent surgery. The theory began when a photo of Middleton and her kids was posted on social media.
Kensington Palace has released an explanation why Kate Middleton’s photo was digitally altered amid continued speculation about her health and whereabouts.
The world’s biggest photo agencies pulled a photograph issued by Kensington Palace of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales and her children, saying it had been “manipulated”.
The doctored photo, released on Sunday to mark Mother’s Day, was the first official photo of Kate since she had abdominal surgery for an unstated condition nearly two months ago and was issued after weeks of speculation about her whereabouts.
Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 10, 2024
Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C
📸 The Prince of Wales, 2024 pic.twitter.com/6DywGBpLLQ
Several major news agencies withdrew the image. The Associated Press (AP) Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Getty Images all separately issued a “kill notice” to media organisations around the world, confirming that they had each deleted the image from their individual libraries.
No comment from Kensington Palace tonight after at least 3 international pictures agencies refuse to distribute this morning’s photo of Kate and her children. Some of them (@AP ) have claimed “the source [the palace] has manipulated the image”. pic.twitter.com/ppOwDtPr9P
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 10, 2024
Then on Monday the Princess of Wales reportedly took to social media to apologize for any confusion that had been caused.
Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024
In a tweet from Kensington Palace’s X account, the Princess of Wales said: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day”
The photo was posted to the royal couple’s social media pages with the caption: “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C The Prince of Wales, 2024”
But an anomaly in the photo regarding Princess Charlotte’s left hand and the sleeve of her sweater were quickly pointed out.
What’s going on with the photoshopped sleeve area 🤔 pic.twitter.com/8gz33qxVjj
— Nick B Ⓥ (@nick2times) March 10, 2024
Photo editors at Reuters claimed that part of the sleeve of Princess Charlotte’s cardigan and wrist did not line up properly which suggested the image had been altered.
Questions were also raised about other details in the image, including part of the background wall that did not appear to line up correctly, and the leaves on the tree in the background.
I’m sorry I’m supposed to believe that the princess of wales is editing her own family photos to send to global news outlets???? Is the royal family okay
— skeng’sther. (@esthergbenz) March 11, 2024
