Getty Flags Princess Kate’s Photo of Queen Elizabeth II with Grandkids as Digitally Enhanced

In 2023, a photograph featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II alongside her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, credited to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has stirred controversy after being flagged by the international photo agency, Getty, as “digitally enhanced at source.” This development follows the discovery of digital alterations in a more recent image released by Kensington Palace to commemorate British Mother’s Day in March.

The older photograph, unveiled by Buckingham Palace on April 21, 2023, in honor of what would have been the queen’s 97th birthday, was attributed to Princess Catherine, who is known to have an interest in photography as a hobby. A Getty spokesperson informed CBS News on Tuesday that the agency is reviewing handout images, adding editorial notes to those where potential digital enhancements are suggested by the source.

Reportedly taken at the royal family’s Balmoral Castle in Scotland in August 2022, the photo bears several inconsistencies upon closer examination. Observers noted distortions in the queen’s plaid skirt, misalignments in various parts of the sofa, and a blurred edge around Prince Louis, positioned on the right side of the image.

Getty’s editorial intervention coincides with heightened speculation regarding the health of Princess Catherine. This speculation intensified following the revelation of alterations in the March photograph of her and her children.

In January, Kensington Palace announced that Princess Catherine would undergo planned abdominal surgery, withdrawing from public view until at least Easter, observed on March 31. Despite assurances of privacy during her recovery, the couple released the doctored image on Mother’s Day, prompting further scrutiny.

Although Princess Catherine acknowledged editing the image in a social media post, Kensington Palace has declined to release an original, unaltered version.

British tabloids reported sightings of Princess Catherine in public for the first time since her surgery hiatus. The Sun newspaper recounted her visit with her husband, Prince William, to a farm shop near their Windsor residence on a recent Saturday. Onlookers described her demeanor as “happy, relaxed, and healthy,” with grainy video footage capturing the couple’s exit from the shop.

Further reports from The Sun suggested that the royal pair had been observed watching their children engage in sports activities. However, no photographic evidence of this outing had surfaced as of Tuesday.

Royal editor Royah Nikkhah of Britain’s Sunday Times expressed hope that Princess Catherine’s public appearance would quell speculation about her health. Nikkhah noted the anticipation for her to resume public duties by mid-April, with the possibility of her attendance at Easter Sunday church services.