After months of speculation about Kate Middleton‘s whereabouts, Kensington Palace posted a cheery family photo of the Princess of Wales with her three kids, George, Charlotte, and Louis, for UK Mother’s Day. But instead of assuring everyone that the Princess is well and healthy, the seemingly innocent photo quickly fell under public scrutiny. Eagle-eyed netizens — as well as journalists (more on that later) — pointed out that the photo was manipulated, opening the floodgates to even more conspiracy theories. You’ve probably seen them on your timeline, and you’re probably already deep into the Royal Family drama rabbit hole, but ICYDK what we’re talking about, here’s what’s going on.

Kate Middleton posts family photo for UK’s Mother’s Day

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C,” read the caption to Kate’s family photo supposedly taken in 2024. The post also credited Prince William of Wales as the photographer.

Many quickly pointed out the photo’s inconsistencies, alleging it was manipulated. For instance, turn up the brightness, and you’ll see a horizontal line that cuts through Kate’s chest abruptly, leading most to believe her head was edited in. A part of Princess Charlotte’s cardigan sleeve seems to have been erased, and Kate’s hair seems to have been edited. She also doesn’t seem to be wearing her wedding ring.

This X thread thoroughly breaks down all the details in the photo, which convinced everyone it was manipulated:

#KateMiddleton photoshop mistakes. pic.twitter.com/FclHnHZbsE

— Shao Trommashere (@MedicTrommasher) March 10, 2024

But the biggest tell of all was that the Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and Agence France-Presse (AFP) ordered a Kill Notification for all other agencies to take the photo down. “It appears that the source has manipulated the image,” wrote AP.

Internet sleuths believe Kate Middleton’s family photo was taken last year

@allynaston I have a strong suspicion that this “new” photo of Kate Middleton and her children was taken in November 2023 baded on the outfits. There is ample evidence of bad Photoshop throughout this photo and it is my personal opinion that it is because it is old and they try to change the outfits so that it didn’t look like a match. This is pure speculation and opinion based on my own research. #katemiddleton #whereiskate #whereiskatemiddleton #princessofwales #kensingtonpalace #britishroyals #british #popculture #popculturenews ♬ original sound – Allyn Aston

While many readily believed the hasty editing was Kate’s attempt at fooling around with Photoshop, others were convinced something was up. Content creator Allyn Aston on TikTok had a convincing theory: The photo was taken last November 2023 during Kate and the kids’ visit to The Baby Bank.

Aston argues that what the family wore to the event matched their outfits in the Mother’s Day photo. Princess Charlotte was wearing a red lettuce-edge turtleneck on both occasions. Prince Louis appeared to have the same checkered polo but, in the photo, had a sweater over it. Aston alleged that Prince George’s shirt’s collar was darkened, but otherwise, it was the same outfit. As for Kate’s outfit, which was a cream turtleneck sweater at the event and a navy blue one in the family photo, Aston was convinced the color was manipulated.

Another poster dated the picture back to 11/23 when Kate/kids volunteered at a baby bank. Kate: same sweater (color), jeans & boots. George: same shirt (color) & sweater. Charlotte: same sweater, tights, boots, added top sweater, different skirt. George: same shirt. pic.twitter.com/tnYAvxgd2o

— Beth Merdian (@ActuaryBeth) March 11, 2024

“It’s weird to me that Kate is wearing a sweater that looks suspiciously exactly like that cream sweater except just happens to be darker, with the same exact shoes, and the same exact kind of looking pants, and then her daughter’s wearing the same exact sweater with the ruffled neck, with the same exact shoes, and possibly the same tights,” Aston said.

Citing royal fashion blogs, Aston also shared that the sweater is only available in Cream and Caramel, which, according to Aston, further proves a high chance that the family photo was edited.

Was it Kate Middleton’s Vogue 2016 cover photo?

Holy shit, I just did this myself and it’s a pixel perfect fit. Genuinely it’s 100% that this is the vogue cover photo photoshopped in.

Source: https://t.co/ff7cZc74Bn https://t.co/57BrLHtkxv pic.twitter.com/xO3KpUnfNB

— Paul Lomax (@PaulLomax) March 11, 2024

Another separate popular theory online was that Kate’s face was from a cover photoshoot she did with Vogue magazine in 2016. Superimposed photos seemed to show that Kate’s face was a “pixel-perfect fit.”

Kate Middleton admits to editing the photo

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

On March 11, one day after the photo was uploaded, Kate apologized for the photo’s controversy. She admitted through Kensington Palace’s X account that she “experimented with editing.”

“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,” read the statement.

“It’s okay, Now post a picture of yourself holding today’s paper,” responded one X user.

“This tweet is fake as hell,” said another who refused to believe Kate posted the statement.

It’s been months since Kate Middleton was last seen in public

The Royal Family drama started with one question from curious individuals: Where is Kate Middleton? Apparently, many noticed that the Princess of Wales hadn’t made a public appearance since Christmas Day, when she was last seen leaving church services at Sandringham. Kate hasn’t been present for her royal duties for almost three months.

Kate Middleton had a “planned abdominal surgery”

But maybe it isn’t as fishy as it seems. On January 17, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had a “planned abdominal surgery” the day before. The statement said the surgery was a success and that she would “remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days.”

“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” it added. Easter falls on March 31.

A few days later, on January 29, Kensington Palace shared that Kate had returned home to recover. Many eyebrows were raised at her almost two-week stay at The London Clinic. “I just don’t get it. I am a nurse and no one stays in a hospital for planned surgery for two weeks, ever. That just makes it totally worst [sic] to not have someone in the Royal Family to say something!” read one comment on Instagram.

“Sorry, kids, but something smells about all of this. What are they covering up?” another said.

The only other time Kate Middleton is seen in public

Kate Middleton is seen for the first time since abdominal surgery in January amid growing concerns she had “gone missing.”

The Princess of Wales was seen this morning briefly with her mom Carole who was driving. pic.twitter.com/zkdZlwiQZX

— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) March 4, 2024

In early March, Kate was photographed in a car with her mother, Carole Middleton, as they drove near Windsor Castle. However, the photo only appeared on tabloid news organization TMZ and was not picked up by British media. The Palace also didn’t release any statement about it. Although this is the first time Kate was (allegedly) seen in public, many aren’t convinced by the photo, given that it’s taken from afar and the Princess is wearing sunglasses that hide half of her face.

What’s your take on these conspiracy theories?

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