New Delhi:

Kate Middleton’s extended absence following abdominal surgery in January has sparked a host of conspiracy theories, with Kensington Palace working overtime to put out the fire on social media. The Princess of Wales has calmed down the public outcry after announcing in a video that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. However, Getty Images’ addition of an “Editor’s note” to Kate Middleton’s cancer announcement video has reignited concerns.

The note noted that “this handout clip was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policies,” sparking speculation and conspiracy theories about the video’s authenticity.

In the video, Princess Kate sits on a bench in the gardens of Windsor Castle. The royal explained that she was undergoing “preventative chemotherapy” after a check-up following abdominal surgery in January “revealed the presence of cancer.”

Kate, the wife of Prince William, the heir to the throne, called the discovery of the cancer a “huge shock.”

Speech by Catherine, Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024

Users on the social media platform questioned Getty’s reasoning behind the article, with some believing it further fueled suspicion about Kate’s condition. With more than 130 million images, Getty is the world’s largest private photography archive.

After the issue broke, Getty issued a clarifying statement, noting that such annotations were standard practice for third-party organizations distributing handout content. However, many old videos of the British royal family do not come with a disclaimer.

This recent review by a media aggregator has reignited concerns about the credibility of photos and videos from the Forbidden City.

Last month, major photography agencies including the Associated Press and Reuters flagged Kate Middleton’s Mother’s Day photo, fearing it was heavily edited or fabricated. Kensington Palace, which posted the photo, subsequently issued a “kill order” over the photo.

Kate Middleton, 42, has not been seen in public since undergoing abdominal surgery on January 16 for a non-cancer but unspecified condition. Social media was abuzz with speculation about her health, sparking headlines and rumors around the world. Far from quelling concerns about her health, the edited photo released by Kensington Palace fueled rumors and media outlets scrambling to remove the photo, which included a notice of the killing.

Kensington Palace said William, whose mother Princess Diana died in a car crash aged 36, would continue to carry out his duties while supporting his wife, just as he did after her surgery. A source said Kate is in good spirits and focused on recovery.

However, neither man attended the traditional royal gathering church service in Windsor on Easter Sunday.

Kate married William in 2011, becoming the first commoner to marry a prince close to the throne in more than 350 years, and has since become one of the most popular members of the royal family.