In a surprising turn of events, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, taken by Kate Middleton and released by Kensington Palace, has been labeled as “digitally enhanced” by Getty Images, one of the world’s leading picture agencies.
This revelation has sparked a heated controversy surrounding the transparency and authenticity of royal photographs, leaving many questioning the extent of the edits and the implications for the royal family’s image.
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Queen Elizabeth’s edited photo with her grandchildren
The controversy began when Getty Images, a reputable source for news and media outlets, issued a warning alongside the official portrait released by Kensington Palace to mark what would have been the late Queen’s 97th birthday in April 2023.
The agency’s “editor’s note” explicitly stated that the “Image has been digitally enhanced at source,” raising eyebrows and sparking intense speculation.
This incident comes on the heels of another controversial photograph involving Kate Middleton and her children, which was heavily manipulated and prompted four international picture agencies, including Getty, to issue a “kill notice” due to concerns over the extent of the editing.
The revelation of the edited portrait of Queen Elizabeth II has reignited the debate surrounding transparency and authenticity within the royal family.
While some argue that minor touch-ups or enhancements are common practice in professional photography, others question the appropriateness of such actions when it comes to official royal portraits, which carry significant historical and symbolic weight.
Richard Kay, a former close friend of Princess Diana, weighed in on the matter, expressing concern over the fragility of the institution and the potential damage to individual reputations.
Many argue that the royal family, as a public institution, should maintain the highest standards of authenticity and transparency, especially in the digital age where manipulation and misinformation can spread rapidly.
The outcome of this controversy may have far-reaching implications for how the royal family approaches official photography and communication in the future.