Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton reportedly feels a little envious of her sister, Pippa Middleton. (Photo: Duchess of Cambridge/Handout via REUTERS)

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has faced another setback as a second photograph taken by her has been flagged over editing concerns. Getty Images, a publishing company, has labeled a photograph of the late Queen Elizabeth II with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as "digitally enhanced at source." The revelation comes just a week after Kate faced scrutiny for editing a Mother's Day photo released on the official Instagram account she shares with her husband, Prince William.

The photograph in question, released by Buckingham Palace on April 21, 2023, to mark what would have been the late Queen's 97th birthday, shows the monarch sitting with eight of her 12 grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in August 2022. Getty Images reviewed the image after several news agencies withdrew Kate's Mother's Day photo over fears of "manipulation."

A spokesperson for Getty told CBS News on Tuesday, "Getty Images is undertaking a review of handout images and in accordance with its editorial policy is placing an editor's note on images where the source has suggested they could be digitally enhanced."

 

Several discrepancies were found in the photograph, including mismatched vertical lines on the Queen's tartan skirt and the green sofa on which the family members sit. Dark shadows and patches are also visible behind Prince Louis's ear and Prince George's collar, and there are signs of "digital repetition" in Mia Tindall's hair.

The edited Mother's Day photograph had prompted the American broadcaster CNN to announce that they were reviewing all photographs released by Kensington Palace. Phil Chetwynd, the global news director of Agence France-Presse, went as far as to say that Kensington Palace was no longer a "trusted source," as Kate's photograph had "clearly" violated the French agency's rules.

Kate publicly apologized for editing the Mother's Day photo, admitting that she would "occasionally experiment with editing" and expressing regret for "any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused." The controversy surrounding the edited images has raised questions about the palace's handling of official photographs and the trust placed in them by media outlets.

The latest development comes amid ongoing speculation about Kate's health, which was fueled by the discovery of the edits to the March image of her and her children. In January, Kensington Palace announced that Kate would be undergoing planned abdominal surgery and taking time to recover in private at least until Easter on March 31. The palace stated that there would be no updates on her health during her recuperation period.

However, British tabloids reported on Sunday that Kate was spotted in public for the first time since her disappearance. The Sun tabloid newspaper said that Kate and William were seen at a farm shop near her family's home in Windsor on Saturday, with onlookers describing her as "happy, relaxed, and healthy." A grainy video clip of the couple walking out of the shop later emerged, but no images had surfaced of their reported outing watching their children play sports.

Royah Nikkhah, the royal editor for Britain's Sunday Times newspaper, told CBS News, "I think the fact Kate has been seen looking happy, healthy, and active will hopefully dampen speculation. Whether or not she chooses to walk to church on Easter Sunday, she may or may not. But I think they're still expecting her to resume public duties mid-April."

As the controversy surrounding Kate's edited photographs continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the palace will address the concerns raised by media outlets and the public. The incident has highlighted the importance of transparency and trust in the relationship between the royal family and the press, as well as the increasing scrutiny faced by public figures in the digital age.

While Kate's recent public sightings may help to alleviate some of the speculation about her health, the ongoing debate about the edited photographs is likely to continue until the palace provides further clarification or takes steps to restore confidence in the authenticity of their official images. The photograph of the Queen in Balmoral is currently only retained by Getty Images in its library, as other picture agencies do not stock the image due to its limited release for use until December 2023.