In yet another blow to the UK royal family's reputation, a manipulated family portrait has surfaced, causing widespread controversy. Getty Images, a leading photo agency, recently revealed that the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren had been digitally enhanced. This revelation comes just a week after the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, apologized for editing a photo of herself and her children on Mother's Day.

The manipulated photo, taken by Middleton herself in August 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, was shared on social media by the official account for the Prince and Princess of Wales on April 21, 2023, in honor of what would have been Queen Elizabeth's 97th birthday. The image was also sent to various agencies, including Getty.

Getty Images, along with Associated Press and Reuters, had already removed Middleton's Mother's Day photo from their offerings last week. These prominent agencies strictly adhere to minimal editing policies for the photos they distribute. In response to the recent manipulation controversy, Getty Images has initiated a review of handout images and has begun placing editor's notes on images where the source suggests possible digital enhancements.

The extent of the alterations made to the family portrait remains unclear, as Getty did not provide specific details. CNN claims to have identified 19 possible edits, while The Telegraph reported 7 alterations. Some observers have noted that while Middleton has not confirmed her involvement in the edits, she was credited as the photographer by the Royal Family on social media.

This latest incident has cast doubt on the UK royal family's reputation and intensifies the scrutiny surrounding Middleton's absence from the public eye following abdominal surgery. Her prolonged absence has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, ranging from suggestions of a potential divorce from Prince William to even speculating about her untimely demise.

The controversy over the manipulated family portrait is compounding the current issues surrounding the trustworthiness of visual media. With the advent of technologies such as AI capable of creating fake content, the incident highlights the increasing challenges of relying on what we see.

In an interview last week, Phil Chetwynd, the global news director of Agence France-Presse (AFP), expressed that the palace had long been considered a trusted source. However, when asked if it still held that status, Chetwynd unequivocally stated, "No, absolutely not."

Amidst mounting criticism and skepticism surrounding the UK royal family, the repercussions of this manipulated photo incident are sure to further erode public trust in the institution. The consequences remain to be seen as inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the alterations and those responsible for them. The ongoing saga adds a new chapter to the ongoing struggles the royal family faces in maintaining its reputation in an increasingly scrutinized digital age.