The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, was recently spotted enjoying a casual outing with her husband, Prince William, at the Windsor Farm Shop, nearly three months after her last official royal appearance. The sighting, which was captured on video, has sparked a wave of controversy and speculation, with some questioning the authenticity of the footage and others analyzing the couple's body language and demeanor.
Body language expert Blanca Cobb exclusively told Fox News Digital that Kate appeared to be happy "with a genuine smile on her face" and a "pep in her step" during the outing. Cobb noted that the princess was walking "slightly ahead of Prince William" as they toured the market near their Adelaide Cottage home. However, she also observed that their pace was off-tempo, with Kate walking faster than her husband.
"You tend to walk faster when you're in a good mood or in a hurry. Or, perhaps, William is feeling a bit distracted, which might account for his slower walk," Cobb explained. She also pointed out that William was carrying a bag in his left hand, which prevented him from getting closer to Kate and holding her hand.
The couple's casual attire, with Kate dressed in black leggings and a windbreaker and William wearing jeans and a blue coat, has also raised eyebrows. "It's not customary to see the prince and princess out and about in casual clothing in a casual setting," Cobb said. "This might explain why no one around them seems to notice their real identity because they blend in as everyday people."
The sighting has fueled a #FakeKate hashtag on social media, with some users claiming that the woman in the video is not actually the Princess of Wales. Kate's every move since her hospitalization in January has been under intense scrutiny, and this latest sighting is no exception.
Adding to the controversy, Getty Images confirmed Tuesday that an April 2023 photograph of the late Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by her grandchildren, allegedly captured by Middleton, had been manipulated. The photo agency is now undertaking a review of handout images and placing editor's notes on images that could be digitally enhanced.
Prior to the farm shop sighting, Middleton was pictured riding in the backseat of a vehicle alongside Prince William. Online speculation grew quickly after the image was released, with social media users implying the photo had been edited. However, the photographer, Jim Bennett of Goff photos, confirmed to Fox News Digital that they do not change their photos in Photoshop other than adjusting light levels if necessary.
The princess's health and whereabouts have been the subject of intense speculation since her hospitalization for a planned abdominal surgery on Jan. 17. On March 10, Middleton shared a photo on Instagram of herself alongside her and William's three children for U.K. Mother's Day, but the photo was later pulled from major photo agencies due to "manipulation" concerns. Metadata from the photo revealed that it had been digitally altered multiple times before being published on official royal social media platforms.
Middleton apologized one day later, admitting that the image had been edited and expressing her hope that everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. A spokesperson for Kensington Palace reiterated that the princess is "doing well" and that the guidance provided in January, stating that she would be recuperating at home in Windsor, still stands.
TMZ host Charles Latibeaudiere has also weighed in on the doubts surrounding the authenticity of the farm shop video, acknowledging that skeptics have raised valid points. Latibeaudiere pointed out discrepancies in Kate's height compared to William's, her chin, and her stride, admitting that he has gone back and forth on his opinion of the video's authenticity.
"It sounds ridiculous, but it's sort of like we need proof of life," Latibeaudiere said, echoing the sentiments of many royal enthusiasts who have been speculating about Kate's glaring absence from public duties. However, he noted that the palace likely feels they are above the need to bow to public pressure and will only take action when they deem it necessary.
As the controversy surrounding Kate Middleton's recent sighting continues to unfold, the palace has remained silent on the matter, leaving royal watchers and the public to speculate about the authenticity of the video and the princess's well-being.
