The Reason Behind the Editor’s Note on Kate Middleton’s Video Sharing Her Cancer Diagnosis
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, made headlines once again, but this time it wasn’t for her fashion choices or charitable endeavors. On March 22, Middleton shocked the world by announcing that she has cancer in a video statement. However, what caught everyone’s attention was the editor’s note added by Getty Images to the clip for context.
The editor’s note read, “This Handout clip was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.” This raised questions about the authenticity and reliability of the video. Getty Images later clarified to E! News that Middleton’s video “includes a standard editor’s note to handout content provided by third-party organizations.”
The video, which was filmed at Windsor Castle by BBC Studios, showed Middleton sitting on a bench in front of a picturesque garden, bravely sharing her story. She revealed that in January, she underwent major abdominal surgery in London, initially believing that her condition was non-cancerous. However, tests after the operation revealed the presence of cancer. As a result, her medical team advised her to undergo preventative chemotherapy, and she is currently in the early stages of treatment.
Since her abdominal procedure in January, Middleton had been keeping a low profile. Her only public appearance was on Instagram in early March when she posted a photo in honor of the United Kingdom’s Mother’s Day. However, this photo received backlash as it was heavily edited. Several photo agencies released a kill notification shortly after the picture was posted. Middleton apologized for the Photoshop mistakes, stating that she occasionally experiments with editing as an amateur photographer.
The controversy surrounding Middleton’s edited photo led French news organization Agence France-Presse (AFP) to question the credibility of Kensington Palace as a trusted source of information. Phil Chetwynd, the global news director of AFP, stated on BBC Radio 4’s “Media Show” that Middleton and Prince William’s office is “absolutely not” reliable. He criticized the approval of the edited photo, stating that it violated AFP’s rules and raised “major issues.”
Chetwynd emphasized the importance of vigilance when it comes to content from trusted sources. He mentioned that the occurrence of manipulation leading to the killing of a story is rare, happening maybe once a year or less. This incident with Middleton’s edited photo serves as a reminder to news organizations to be cautious and maintain high standards of integrity.
The addition of the editor’s note to Middleton’s video raises questions about the authenticity and reliability of the clip. While it is not uncommon for handout content to come from third-party organizations, the fact that Getty Images felt the need to include a disclaimer suggests that there may be concerns about the video’s accuracy.
As Middleton continues her treatment and battle with cancer, it remains to be seen how this controversy will affect public perception of her and the information coming from Kensington Palace. The Duchess of Cambridge has always been a beloved figure, but this latest scandal may cause some to question the trustworthiness of her public statements. Only time will tell if Middleton can regain the public’s confidence and focus on her health journey.
