‘Editor’s note’ on Kate Middleton’s cancer-reveal video sparks new theories

Getty Images has added an “editor’s note” on Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton’s cancer revelation video, saying the footage “might not adhere to editorial policy”, sparking fresh conspiracy theories online regarding the authenticity of the footage amid speculation that it might have been a “deepfake”.

“This Handout clip was provided by a third-party organization and might not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy,” the editor’s note read.

In the video message released by Kensington Palace on March 23, Kate Middleton said that she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and is “well and getting stronger every day”.

The video, in which Kate was seen sitting on a bench in the gardens of Windsor Palace, with cherry blossoms and daffodils in the background, temporarily ended rumours and bizarre conspiracy theories about her whereabouts as she had been missing from the spotlight since she underwent abdominal surgery in January.

However, new conspiracy theories surfaced online late last month that the footage might have been an “Artifical Intelligence (AI)-enabled deepfake”, with some even questioning why the leaves or grass weren’t moving in the background.

Meanwhile, the addition of the ‘editor’s note” has again sent social media into a frenzy, with some users saying that it did not come as a surprise.

One user said on X, “Not surprised, is this when they edited the ring in?”

While one person asked, “Is anyone else tired of Kate Middleton conspiracies?”, another said, “I knew as soon as whoever that girl is opened her mouth. Kate is never that poised, and she is awkward and mumbles every time she speaks.”

“What I don’t understand is what ever happened to Kate, I don’t see why they make it a big mystery? Surely it’s something where they feel guilty or they’re ashamed?” a social media user posted on X.

“The statement indicates that they received the video from KP (Kensington Palace), not from the BBC, and therefore they do not endorse its authenticity, nor do they refute it. It’s an unusual disclaimer,”said another tweet.

Also in March, major news agencies, including the Associated Press, Reuters and AFP, withdrew a photo of the Princess of Wales with her three children, amid claims that it was digitally manipulated.

The image was released on March 10 on the occasion of Mother’s Day in the UK. However, inconsistencies in the picture led to social media users questioning its authenticity.

A day later, Kate issued an apology for “confusion” over the picture and said in a tweet, “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.”

Amid her prolonged absence, rumours of an affair between Prince William and Sarah Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley have also surfaced.

But Rose Hanbury finally broke her silence on the alleged speculations, dismissing them as “completely false”.