Photo agencies are refusing to publish a portrait of Kate Middleton with her children over concerns it was manipulated
Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace
- Multiple photo agencies have removed Kate Middleton's new portrait over editorial concerns.
- The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse issued kill notifications to outlets over the photos.
- The photos have intensified conspiracy theories about Middleton's whereabouts.
Multiple photo agencies are sounding the alarm that Kate Middleton's newest portrait with her children could have been digitally altered.
The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse all released kill notifications to media outlets over the photo — released by Kensington Palace on Sunday — announcing that they would no longer be distributing the image.
The AP wrote, "it appears that the source has manipulated the image." AFP cited an "editorial issue," while Reuters said the photo was withdrawn after a "post-publication review."
The image of Kate Middleton and her children, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte, was shared by Kensington Palace on social media and taken by Prince William, the BBC reported. It is the first official photo released of Middleton since she was last seen publicly on Christmas Day.
Since then, the princess has kept a low profile and has only been seen once in a paparazzi photo released by TMZ in March.
The only significant update was when the palace announced her planned abdominal surgery on January 17. Kensington Palace also announced on January 29 that Middleton had returned to Windsor Castle and went on the record to dispute claims that Middleton had been in a coma.
The mystery surrounding her monthslong disappearance sparked conspiracy theories about Middleton's whereabouts and health, and this most recent photo did not do much to quiet said theories.
Following its release, social media was abuzz with sleuths questioning whether the photo was photoshopped or AI-generated. Many were focused on the cuff of Princess Charlotte's pink cardigan, which appears to disappear in the photo.
A spokesperson for the AP pointed Business Insider to a story from the outlet, in which reporters explain why they believe the photo to be manipulated."The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand," per the AP.
Other users pointed out that Middleton was not wearing her wedding ring.
"no rings, kids all have their fingers crossed, weird blurring on charlotte's cuffs, leaves on the trees despite it being early mach - i'm sorry but they're just asking for us to go full katespiracy at this point," one user on X wrote.
Reuters and AFP did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Kensington Palace did not immediately answer questions from BI about allegations that the photos were altered and has not publicly responded.