In the latest twist involving the British royal family, a photograph of Kate, the Princess of Wales, has been withdrawn by major news agencies, including the Associated Press, Reuters, and AFP, citing concerns over potential “manipulation.” The photo, initially posted by Kate on social media to commemorate Mother’s Day in the U.K., features the 42-year-old Princess seated on a wooden chair, surrounded by her three children: Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George. This marks the first official image of Kate since she underwent abdominal surgery nearly two months ago.
The image, credited to her husband Prince William, sparked intrigue when the Associated Press issued a “kill notification,” instructing against its use due to worries that “it appears that the source has manipulated the image.” The primary concern noted by some online observers is an alleged inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand. While several internet users have pointed out other perceived discrepancies, no verification from photo experts has been provided as of now.
Notably, the photo has fueled existing conspiracy theories circulating about the royal family. Beyond the purported image manipulation, some have speculated about the absence of Kate’s wedding ring in the picture, further intensifying discussions among eagle-eyed skeptics on social media.
As of the time of reporting, the Palace has refrained from offering an official comment or response regarding the removal of the photo by news agencies.
Since the announcement of Kate’s surgery, baseless rumors have proliferated online, ranging from suggestions of cosmetic procedures to unfounded claims about her mental health. Some outlandish theories even posited that she might be in a coma or the victim of a sinister Palace cover-up. While these ideas were largely dispelled when recent paparazzi photos seemingly captured Kate riding in her mother’s car, the removal of the latest photo has reignited speculation.
Royal reporter Omid Scobie, author of the book “Endgame” about the future of the royal family, referred to the new photo as “mysterious” in light of its removal by international news agencies.
The saga began on January 17 when Kensington Palace released a statement announcing Kate’s abdominal surgery and detailing her expected recovery period. The Palace clarified that she would not resume public duties until after Easter. Meanwhile, King Charles underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate and initiated undisclosed cancer treatment around the same time, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing royal narrative.