Associated Press and Reuters 'kill' Kate photo amid 'manipulation' concerns

[NoraBattysCurlers]

Multiple photo agencies, including Reuters and AP, have pulled a new image of the Princess of Wales from circulation over concerns that it has been "manipulated".
The picture in question was released on Sunday morning to celebrate Mother's Day and shows Kate surrounded by her and Prince William's three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The image was initially circulated by a number of picture agencies but on Sunday night at least two withdrew it and told media outlets to "kill" the photo from their systems and archives.

Associated Press also updated its website to inform journalists and broadcasters that the picture was being "killed".

The updated caption read: "At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image."

Kensington Palace had provided the photo to agencies and said it had been taken by the Prince of Wales earlier this week.

Kensington Palace has declined to comment.

[fairydust11]

The quote to “kill” a photo is very unusual wording in my opinion as I haven’t heard of it being used in that way before.
I thought they would usually say “pull down” or just “remove” a photo?

[Choux]

In a previous photo, Louis apparently had a finger missing due to the photoshopping. But no agency removed that so the issue with Charlotte's sleeve wouldn't necessarily cause it to be removed.

Often the photos they take have been taken several months before they are released and they don't say when they were taken. This time the Palace have said it was taken this week. Could it be the press know it wasn't taken this week and don't want to be complicit in a lie? The most obvious thing to date it would be that Louis is missing a lower tooth or that perhaps Charlotte's hair is much longer in the photo than it currently is. But none of us are going to be able to say what Louis's teeth and Charlotte's hair look like not to disprove when it was taken.

I hope there is more info to come on why it was pulled.

[LittleGreenDragons]

How curious. Kate posted the picture, William takes credit for taking it.

Unless someone with access to their account posted it in their name? Is it still up on their official site?

[Runningwildish]

It's on the BBC news website

[Rainallnight]

@fairydust11

The quote to “kill” a photo is very unusual wording in my opinion as I haven’t heard of it being used in that way before.
I thought they would usually say “pull down” or just “remove” a photo?

It’s quite standard in newspapers. To ”kill” an article you were going to run, to pay someone a “kill fee” for an article you’ve not run etc

[medianewbie]

It's all a bit rum, that's for sure!

[catinthetinhat]

There's also mention that she isn't wearing her wedding ring. I'm surprised they've released a photo that's so questionable

[Sparetoes]

Would they do this, if e.g. the image has been changed to make her completion clearer than it is, or is it only done if the picture really misrepresents the facts? E.g. she was actually in bed when it was taken?

I don't understand why they issued a picture at all if she's really not fit to have one taken. They said we wouldn't see her until Easter, so stick with that.

[Sparetoes]

*complexion

[Tlolljs]

I was under the impression that most photos we see now have been photoshopped in some way.
Wonder what makes this one different enough to ‘kill’ it. Timing maybe?

[LolaSmiles]

I don't understand why they issued a picture at all if she's really not fit to have one taken. They said we wouldn't see her until Easter, so stick with that
Same here.

Unfortunately some people are so obsessed that they've been all over the internet for weeks complaining about lack up of updates, complaining that they're worried sick because a woman's medical information hasn't been shared with them, and inventing all sorts of stories whilst saying the Wales family should give the public what they want as a way to stop the speculation.

The same people who were complaining about the lack of updates and demanding personal information is made public are going to be the same people rubbing their hands with glee now. People seem to forget that regardless of titles, the RF are just human.

[Sparetoes]

@LolaSmiles

I don't understand why they issued a picture at all if she's really not fit to have one taken. They said we wouldn't see her until Easter, so stick with that
Same here.

Unfortunately some people are so obsessed that they've been all over the internet for weeks complaining about lack up of updates, complaining that they're worried sick because a woman's medical information hasn't been shared with them, and inventing all sorts of stories whilst saying the Wales family should give the public what they want as a way to stop the speculation.

The same people who were complaining about the lack of updates and demanding personal information is made public are going to be the same people rubbing their hands with glee now. People seem to forget that regardless of titles, the RF are just human.

Edited

Yes, I get all that but issuing a manipulated photo was never going to help!

[Fridaysgirl17]

The speculation & scrutiny over the picture online is absolutely ridiculous to me,down to how the kids are holding their hands,Louis is obviously fidgeting which is why his fingers are crossed & up,its not missing, Charlotte's skirt looks slightly big or its a pocket sticking out, & people calling out ridiculous issues such as something wrong with Catherine's boot when in fact it's a tag. I mean it's a bit far fetched now at this stage

[LolaSmiles]

Yes, I get all that but issuing a manipulated photo was never going to help!
I agree with you.

Most people are capable of understanding that someone being away from duties until Easter means until Easter. It doesn't matter whether that's a colleague at work or a public figure. They'd have been better maintaining their position than trying to appease people, especially when the loudest voices of complaint are coming from people weirdly obsessed with the medical details of a stranger.

[ScrambledSmegs]

The Murdoch press must be loving this, they've been plugging away at the 'where's Kate, something nefarious is afoot' message for ages and it's blown up properly now.

This whole controversy is so highly manipulated by both sides that it's very hard to take it seriously.

(FWIW, I reckon she's got post-surgery steroid-face and doesn't want to be seen in public till it's gone back to its normal size and shape).

[Changingplace]

@Tlolljs

I was under the impression that most photos we see now have been photoshopped in some way.
Wonder what makes this one different enough to ‘kill’ it. Timing maybe?

For an image provided as a news source any reputable journalism source will have guidelines as to the level of photoshop permitted- this must be to a level where it’s viewed as significantly changing the subject matter.

[Changingplace]

@Rainallnight

It’s quite standard in newspapers. To ”kill” an article you were going to run, to pay someone a “kill fee” for an article you’ve not run etc

Agreed, it’s standard industry lingo in the world of press/journalism.

[Tlolljs]

@Changingplace

For an image provided as a news source any reputable journalism source will have guidelines as to the level of photoshop permitted- this must be to a level where it’s viewed as significantly changing the subject matter.

Well yeah I agree but I wonder what has been so significantly altered?

[Choux]

@Sparetoes

Would they do this, if e.g. the image has been changed to make her completion clearer than it is, or is it only done if the picture really misrepresents the facts? E.g. she was actually in bed when it was taken?

I don't understand why they issued a picture at all if she's really not fit to have one taken. They said we wouldn't see her until Easter, so stick with that.

In previous years they have released Mother's Day photos so if they didn't do one this year the press and conspiracy theorists would pick up on it. So they released one.

Usually their family photos were taken several months before they are published but when issuing this one the Palace said it was taken last week and therefore it's proof Kate is recovering well.

The recent surgery and lack of sightings or health updates plus Charles being sick at the same time means the picture is more newsworthy than one of their usual family photos. The picture agencies believe it has been manipulated to misrepresent how Kate is recovering and so they have said to kill it. They don't want to help the Palace to pull the wool over the public's eyes and mislead us.

[Cookerhood]

The agencies have very specific requirements about photoshopping (for example red eye can't be removed). Read the BBC article about it, it makes it clear that it could have been for many different reasons & will have gone through the PR people on its way. They are the people who messed up.
FWIW I think Kate's arms look unnatural. I think her hands have been photoshopped onto the children to make it looks at though she has her arms around them.

[TheSnowyOwl]

If you want all the various theories on it, there are several other threads running about the picture being removed and lots of views on them.

[Catstaps]

It’s saddens me that Kate and family want to go down the route of the perfect not real family photo. Especially when one of her causes is parenting , young children etc. where’s the authenticity and the honesty. Just really saying look how wonderful we all are, happy smiling etc. very disappointing.

[Catstaps]

@LittleGreenDragons

How curious. Kate posted the picture, William takes credit for taking it.

Unless someone with access to their account posted it in their name? Is it still up on their official site?

Well presumably he took the original and she edited it.