Catherine’s photography skills are under increased scrutiny following another controversial image, prompting Getty Images to reevaluate its policy on handout photos.
The image in question, purportedly taken by the Princess of Wales, features Queen Elizabeth II and 10 of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, digitally enhanced and posted on the Wales’ joint Instagram account on what would have been the late queen’s 97th birthday.
Getty Images released a statement acknowledging the digital enhancement of the image, highlighting several inconsistencies, including discrepancies in clothing patterns and hair issues.
Kate’s Edited Photo (Credits: ABC)
This revelation has prompted Getty Images to review its handout image policy and place editor’s notes on images where digital enhancement has been suggested by the source.
The statement from Getty Images marks the latest development in what has been termed “Kate-Gate” and the controversy surrounding the “Disappearing” Princess.
Speculation about Catherine’s health and whereabouts has intensified since Kensington Palace announced her planned abdominal surgery in mid-January. This and other health disclosures within the royal family have fueled rumors and conspiracy theories online.
Kate Middleton’s Edited Photo of Late Queen and Young Royals (Credits: Business Insider)
The situation escalated further when an amateurishly edited photo of Catherine and her children was released to mark Mother’s Day in the UK. Several international photo and news agencies retracted the image, and social media platforms labeled it altered.
Despite the palace’s apology for the confusion caused by the image, questions about Catherine’s well-being persist. This casts doubt on the palace’s reliability as a source and raises broader questions about the monarchy’s existence.
Catherine’s recent public sighting, her first since December, did little to quell speculation, with some questioning the authenticity of the footage.
As scrutiny surrounding Catherine and the royal family intensifies, the controversy underscores the challenges of maintaining transparency and credibility in an era of heightened media scrutiny and widespread speculation.
