An image shared by Kensington Palace on Sunday to commemorate Mother’s Day in the U.K., featuring Kate Middleton and her children, has sparked controversy over its authenticity.
Major news agencies such as the Associated Press and Getty Images have withdrawn the image, citing concerns of potential manipulation. The Associated Press even issued a notification advising journalists worldwide to remove the photo from all platforms due to suspicions of tampering.
Despite claims from palace officials that the picture was taken by Prince William himself at their Windsor cottage, online skeptics have raised doubts, suggesting the image appeared AI-generated and lacked authenticity.
No comment from Kensington Palace tonight after at least 3 international pictures agencies refuse to distribute this morning’s photo of Kate and her children. Some of them (@AP ) have claimed “the source [the palace] has manipulated the image”. pic.twitter.com/ppOwDtPr9P
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 10, 2024
Kensington Palace has yet to address the situation publicly, even as reputable news outlets distance themselves from circulating the image, casting doubt on its legitimacy. Meanwhile, the photo remains on the official social media accounts of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
If the allegations of manipulation hold true, it could spark a scandal, particularly amid ongoing speculation surrounding Kate’s recovery from abdominal surgery earlier in the year. Recent photos of her have also faced scrutiny.
While Kensington Palace has sought to quell rumors, the internet has been abuzz with memes, jokes, and gossip. This latest controversy is likely to only fuel further speculation, raising questions about why the palace has not provided clarification on the matter.
As speculation swirls, one cannot help but wonder why the palace has not addressed the situation directly. The lack of clarity only adds to the intrigue surrounding the controversy.
