Getty confirms Prince Archie's christening photo was also manipulated

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By James Kay

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Getty has confirmed that a picture featuring Prince Archie was also manipulated, as the Royal Family continues to draw speculation and confusion.

The Royal Family, particularly Princess Catherine, have been stealing the headlines lately - though it's not because they've done something to warrant the attention.

In fact, it's what they haven't done that's caused all of the intrigue - given that Princess Catherine was last seen in public in December before a recent sighting at a farm shop.

What hasn't helped all of the speculation is Princess Catherine sharing a photo for Mother's Day that was later confirmed to be edited.

Princess Catherine hadn't been seen since December. Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty

The Princess later owned up to the editing, writing: "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. C."

Despite her admittance, people still questioned why the photo needed to be edited... but it turns out that the Royal Family has a track record of touching up images.

Getty Images issued a note on Tuesday regarding the official family portrait taken during Prince Archie’s christening in July 2019. The portrait features the then-two-month-old son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, per the New York Post.

Getty Images stated that the stately portrait, taken at Windsor Castle, was "digitally enhanced," though no explicit details were provided on the nature of these enhancements, as the image displayed no apparent signs of manipulation.

The portrait was captured by fashion and portrait photographer Chris Allerton, who dismissed any suggestions of tampering. "Load of cobblers. Bye," he responded to the Daily Mail, using a British slang term for "nonsense."

Allerton's photo portrays Prince Harry and Markle cradling their infant son, surrounded by their extended family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Catherine, Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, and Princess Diana’s sisters.

Getty Images has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the specifics that prompted the warning about the nearly five-year-old image.

This development follows Getty's re-evaluation of an image taken in August 2022, featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II with her grandchildren, which the agency concluded had been "digitally enhanced at source."

Among others captured in the frame are Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex, Lena Tindall, Isla Phillips, Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall, and Savannah Phillips, gathered around the late monarch on a sofa.

Addressing the matter, Getty Images elucidated in a statement: "Getty Images can confirm that in accordance with its editorial policy it has placed an editor's note on a handout image stating the image has been digitally enhanced at source."

Featured image credit: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty