The release of a video featuring Prince William and Princess Kate has failed to dispel internet conspiracy theories surrounding the Duchess’s well-being, despite marking the first visual appearance of Kate since her abdominal surgery in January.

Published by The Sun, the clip offers the public a glimpse of Kate’s post-surgery recovery as she accompanies Prince William. Prior to this footage, images of the Princess had been scarce and contested, with grainy sightings in cars sparking debate among fans. The controversy intensified with the release of a Mother’s Day photo, marred by apparent Photoshop errors, prompting criticism on social media and even leading to international news agencies issuing a ‘kill notice’ for the photo.

In response to the backlash, Kate issued a statement apologising for editing the photo, acknowledging her experimentation with editing as an amateur photographer. “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” she wrote. “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 the release of the recent clip showing Kate at Windsor Farm Shop alongside William, doubts persist among internet users regarding her identity in the video. While the footage is somewhat blurry and reportedly filmed by a member of the public, skepticism remains rampant across social media platforms, with many refusing to acknowledge Kate’s presence in the video.