Several media and image agencies, including Reuters, Associated Press, Getty and AFP, recently retracted a photo released by Kensington Palace of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales of the UK, alongside her children. This move was prompted by suspicions that the image might have been doctored.
The photograph, featuring the Duchess in a seated pose with her three children around her, was shared on the official social media accounts of the Prince and Princess of Wales on a Sunday morning. An appended note showed gratitude for the constant well-wishing and support received over the previous couple of months and extended Mother’s Day felicitations.
The Duchess had been absent from the public gaze due to a surgical procedure on her abdomen around two months prior. This photo gave the public their first glimpse of her since. In the wake of its release, various conjectures relating to her well-being and location emerged.
The retraction of the image by news and picture agencies sparked additional conjecture. The accredited photograph of Ms Middleton with her children was ascribed to her spouse, Prince William, heir to the British throne, and reportedly taken in Windsor earlier that week.
AP, one of the retracting agencies, claimed the photo was manipulated in a manner that fell short of their picture standards. Oddities within Princess Charlotte’s left hand alignment were evident in the photograph.
The Princess has been recuperating from her surgical procedure that happened on January 29th. Her recovery period, primarily at the Adelaide Cottage family residence near Windsor Castle, was expected to last until at least Easter.
In the interim, Prince William assumed more home responsibilities to care for her and their offspring. He reduced his official commitments temporarily. The Duchess was treated for her planned procedure at the London Clinic, the same private medical facility where King Charles was treated for prostate enlargement.
The Duchess’ prolonged absence from public view has led to various speculations about her health and location. At one point, it was reported that she would be present at a Trooping the Colour event in June. However, this claim was later removed from the British Army’s website after being posted sans Kensington Palace’s approval.
The British princess has been seen near her residence in Windsor and a picture has been making rounds on the internet that depicts her in sunglasses seated in the front of a car, with her mother, Carole Middleton, behind the wheel. There has been no disclosure regarding the royal’s health condition from Kensington Palace other than to confirm that it is not linked to cancer and her preference is to keep her private medical information confidential. The sources of this information are PA and the Guardian.