In an unprecedented move, Agence France-Presse (AFP), a leading global news agency, has expressed its mistrust towards Kensington Palace following the release of a manipulated photograph featuring Kate Middleton and her children. This decision to disavow the photo marks a significant departure from standard practice, aligning more closely with actions typically reserved for addressing propaganda from countries like North Korea or Iran.
**Key Takeaways:**
– Phil Chetwynd, AFP’s global news director, voiced concerns on BBC Radio 4’s “The Media Show,” revealing that the once-reliable Kensington Palace has fallen out of favor following the distribution of a digitally altered image of Kate Middleton with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
– The doctored photograph led AFP, the Associated Press, and other news outlets to issue a “kill notice,” a drastic measure urging the cessation of the photo’s circulation due to ethical violations. This move underscores the severity of the manipulation, likening it to actions typically associated with authoritarian regimes.
– Chetwynd highlighted the rarity of such a decision, emphasizing the gravity of photo manipulation in journalism and its potential to undermine trust.
– Despite reaching out to Kensington Palace for the original, unaltered image, AFP’s request was met with silence, further straining the relationship between the news agency and the royal residence.
– The incident has prompted a reevaluation of Kensington Palace as a trusted source, with Chetwynd openly acknowledging the significant internal concerns it has raised within AFP.
**Background Insight:**
The intrigue surrounding Kate Middleton’s public appearances has intensified since the announcement of her hospitalization for abdominal surgery in January. The prolonged absence of the Princess of Wales from the public eye culminated in the controversial release of the altered Mother’s Day photo by Kensington Palace. The immediate detection of inconsistencies by vigilant royal watchers led to widespread scrutiny and subsequent apologies from the palace, attempting to quell the confusion stirred by the edited image.
**Crucial Quote:**
Chetwynd criticized the quality of the photo editing, stating, “It’s actually not even very well photoshopped. There are clearly a lot of issues with the photo.” He lamented the validation of the image, which prompted a unified response from photo editors across major agencies to address the ethical breach.
**What To Watch For:**
The fallout from this incident has left observers eagerly awaiting further communication from the palace. In a bid to address the backlash, a photograph of Middleton post-surgery emerged, only to face accusations of editing, adding another layer of controversy to the ongoing saga. With Kensington Palace maintaining silence on Middleton’s condition and whereabouts, the public and media remain in suspense, closely monitoring the unfolding narrative.