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An executive producer at celebrity gossip site TMZ has expressed doubts about the authenticity of a recent video it aired showing Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. The clip, which was also published by British tabloid The Sun, purportedly showed Kate shopping with her husband Prince William at a farm shop on March 16.

It was the first footage of the Duchess of Cambridge since her surgery in January. However, instead of allaying concerns about the royal’s health and whereabouts, it sparked a social media frenzy with users questioning whether it was really Kate in the clip.

In its initial report, TMZ quoted onlookers who said Kate appeared “happy, relaxed and healthy”. The outlet also emphasised it was the “first actual visual” of the royal and “100% her” in the video.

However, TMZ executive producer Charles Latibeaudiere has now expressed scepticism.

“I’ve gone back and forth,” Latibeaudiere said. “My gut feeling was it was her, but then I saw comments and things that people are posting about why they don’t think it’s her and they have some points – her height compared to William, where her eyeline is when she is looking at him normally, some things about her chin… even the way she walks.”

Latibeaudiere acknowledged that some viewers questioned Prince William’s identity as well. “It certainly looks like William, but even then… some people are picking apart that maybe it’s not him,” he said.

The producer further questioned the reason behind Kate’s continued absence and the lack of transparency from the Palace.

“Why would the Palace be involved in another hoax?” he asked. “There was the Mother’s Day photo blunder, why repeat it? But then I thought, they wouldn’t do it again, would they?”

Charles was referring to a Mother’s Day portrait of Kate and her three children, released by the Palace on social media, which later turned out to have been edited. The Princess apologised and took responsibility for altering the image.

The shopping trip video reignited speculation and conspiracy theories on social media. Many claimed the woman seen in the video was not Kate Middleton. Reality TV producer and talk show host Andy Cohen also weighed in, posting on X: “That ain’t Kate…”

Others claimed that it was a look-alike or body double of the Princess and the video was staged. Even as wild claims fly, the palace is yet to make an official statement on the video or its release.