The Kate Middleton photo controversy (and general…

The Kate Middleton photo controversy (and general mystery around her absence), explained

Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Have you seen some stuff about Princess Kate Middleton being absent for a while and then there was something about a photo controversy? And you're very confused about that whole thing? Don't worry. We're here to help.

Buckle up, folks. This one is kind of a doozy and a still-developing story. But if you’ve seen all the headlines and tweets and everything in between about Princess Kate, you might be confused.

Let’s dive in and try to clear things up for you:

What's up with Kate Middleton?

(Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)

Let’s go back to a couple of months ago. Back in January, it was announced that Princess Catherine underwent abdominal surgery. As part of the announcement, Kensington Palace said the surgery was a success but that she wouldn’t resume her royal duties until after Easter. And that’s been the case.

If that was the announcement, then what's all the talk about it?

(Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Because generally when things happen on the internet that are a little fishy — like why wouldn’t she be seen in public for months — coupled with all things British Royals, you get conspiracy theories running amok, like: Was this surgery an emergency? And if so, is Middleton’s health in danger?

Yikes. What happened next?

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4U_IqTNaqU/?hl=en On Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom, the Prince and Princess of Wales dropped that photo above of Middleton with her kids, looking happy.

What's the big deal with that? She looks happy!

https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1766949402659209254 Because the AP issued what’s known as a “kill notification” that the photo should no longer be used because “the source has manipulated the image.” Other international news agencies followed suit, including AFP, Reuters and Getty.

GASP! HOW?

https://twitter.com/lmxstn/status/1767154095238897954 The AP noted that Princess Charlotte’s left hand may have been altered, with blurring, and that edits may have been made around the kids’ hair.