Getty Images Confirms Manipulation of Photo Featuring Queen Elizabeth II and Grandchildren Captured by Kate Middleton

Another Royal Family Photo Taken by Kate Middleton Was Manipulated

Courtesy of The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram

After Princess Kate Middleton‘s photo editing controversy, another royal family portrait is now under scrutiny.

Getty Images announced on Monday, March 18, that a photo posted on the official Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account in April 2023 was altered. A spokesperson for the agency told The Telegraph that Getty Images had reviewed the image and added an editor’s note, disclosing that the photo had been digitally enhanced.

The Instagram post from April 2023 featured a photo of Queen Elizabeth II with younger members of the royal family. The caption mentioned that it would have been Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth's 97th birthday. The picture was taken at Balmoral the previous summer, showing the queen with some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kate, who is 42 years old, was the one behind the camera for this special photograph. Her three children with Prince William - Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 - were among the individuals pictured with the late queen. However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's two children were not included in the portrait.

The image of Elizabeth has "several inconsistencies", as reported by The Telegraph. One of the errors pointed out is a mismatch in the pattern of her skirt. In total, six errors were highlighted in the image.

Getty's statement further fueled doubts about the royal family, especially as Kate is still recovering from her abdominal surgery. In January, Kensington Palace announced that Kate would be taking a break from public appearances until after Easter as she recovers from her "planned" surgery. Not much information was provided about the specific details of her procedure.

Another Royal Family Photo Taken by Kate Middleton Was Manipulated 2

Kate Middleton with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace / MEGA

Kate was last seen in December 2023 before her hospitalization. The palace requested privacy, but rumors about Kate's condition and location spread on social media. Representatives for Kate and William, 41, tried to calm the speculation.

In a statement on February 29, a spokesperson for Kate mentioned that Kensington Palace had stated in January the schedule for the princess's recovery and that only important updates would be shared. The spokesperson emphasized that this guideline remained in place.

In a separate statement, William’s representative mentioned that his main focus is on work rather than social media.

While Kate has not directly addressed her condition, she has been seen in blurry photos on several occasions. The first sighting was post-op when she was sitting in the passenger seat of a car with her mother, Carole Middleton, on March 4. A week later, she was photographed with William leaving Windsor Castle. Grainy footage of the couple walking at a local farmer’s market was released by TMZ on Monday, with witnesses describing the princess as appearing "happy" and "relaxed."

A family photo uploaded earlier this month in honor of Mother’s Day added another layer of drama when several international news agencies received a notice to “kill” the image from publication. Kate later issued a statement regarding accusations that the photo was manipulated.

Kate addressed the situation in a statement she made on March 11 via X. She explained that like many amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing. Kate expressed her apologies for any confusion caused by the family photograph shared the previous day. She also wished everyone celebrating a very happy Mother’s Day.

Editor's P/S:

The recent scrutiny over edited royal family portraits has raised concerns about the authenticity and transparency of the images presented to the public. The alterations to the photo of Queen Elizabeth II and her family, as well as the alleged manipulation of a Mother's Day photo featuring Kate Middleton, have fueled speculation about the extent of digital enhancements used by the royal family.

Questions have been raised about the ethics of altering historical images and the potential impact on public trust. The revelation that Getty Images had to add an editor's note to the Queen's portrait highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the presentation of such images. The inconsistencies in the pattern of the Queen's skirt and the exclusion of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children from the portrait have further fueled doubts about the authenticity of the image. It is crucial for the royal family to address these concerns openly and provide a clear explanation for any alterations made to official photographs. concern for her health. By doing so, they can dispel rumors, reduce speculation, and maintain a positive image of the monarchy.