The agency who captured a new photo of Kate Middleton and Prince William have responded to claims that the image was photoshopped.
Amid ongoing speculation surrounding the Princess’ health, the mother-of-three was photographed leaving Windsor Castle in the back of a Range Rover with her husband on March 11th.
But after Kate admitted to “editing” the Mother’s Day photo she shared of herself on March 10th, fans quickly questioned whether the car photo of Kate and William had been altered too.
BREAKING: The Princess of Wales has been pictured leaving Windsor alongside Prince William, following controversy over a Mother’s Day photograph Kate admitted to “editing”.
Read more 🔗 https://t.co/L2VAITpuiT
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 11, 2024
However, Goff Photos, who captured and distributed the image, have since told E! News that the photo was “cropped and lightened” but “nothing has been doctored.”
The Princess of Wales has remained out of the spotlight since January, as she’s currently recovering from abdominal surgery.
But on March 10th, the 42-year-old broke her silence on social media to share a photo of herself and her kids Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, to celebrate Mother’s Day in the UK.
However, things took a dramatic turn when several of the world’s biggest international photo agencies said the photograph issued of Kate and her three children had been “manipulated”.
The Associated Press (AP) Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Getty Images all separately issued a “kill notice” to media organisations around the globe, confirming they had each deleted the image from their individual libraries.
Kate later issued an apology in a statement shared on social media.
She wrote: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.
“I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 11, 2024
A palace source also added: “The Princess has shared a statement on social media. This was an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales.”
“Their royal highnesses wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother’s Day. The Princess made minor adjustments as she shared in her statement on social media.”
“The Wales family spent Mother’s Day together and had a wonderful day.”
This was the first official picture of Kate that has been released since her abdominal surgery on January 16.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace previously said that the Princess is “making good progress”.
They continued: “The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.
“The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.”
In a previous statement, a spokesperson said: “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate.”
“She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.”
“The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.”
“She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
Kats is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and the Prince of Wales has temporarily stepped back from his royal role to care for her and their three children.
