Joshua Sammer/Getty
Meghan MarkleandPrince Harry’s photographer forPrince Archie’s official christening portraits denied that he doctored a snap from the occasion as royal family photos come undernew scrutiny.
On Tuesday, photographer Chris Allerton told theDaily Mailthat the suggestion he edited one of Prince Archie’schristening pictures"was a load of cobblers" and insisted the family photo taken in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on July 6, 2019, “has not been manipulated.”
The back and forth began when the outlet alerted him that Getty Images added an “editor’s note” to the snap. TheDaily Mailreported that the photo agency said the shot was “digitally enhanced,” though a Getty Images spokesperson clarified to PEOPLE that “no issues” were found following a review.
“Getty Images is undertaking a review of handout images and, in accordance with its editorial policy, is placing an editor’s note on images where the source has suggested they could be digitally enhanced, " the outlet reported that a Getty spokesman said on Tuesday.
Defending his work, Allerton told the outlet that the royal family photo needed “the very minimal tuning” to its tone and exposure and had his equipment set up in advance, which allowed him to capture “a relaxed and pleasing moment quickly and efficiently for them.”
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Getty told PEOPLE, “The image in question had an editor’s note placed on it while under review and that note has now been removed with no issues found.”
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
Misan Harriman, a close friend of the couple and photographer who has also captured some of their family moments on camera, defended Allerton on social media.
“I’ve just spoken to Chris Allerton, Getty Images should never have put that editors note on his image, I am sure @GettyImages will make a statement about this in due course,“Harriman saidon Wednesday. “More importantly, the newspapers should have spoken to him BEFORE publishing what has now become a global non-story about his work. He’s a great photographer who doesn’t deserve any of this. Please leave this man alone.”
Harriman recently spoke out after rumors circulated that he doctored thephoto that Meghan and Harry shared to announce they were expectingtheir second child,Princess Lilibet, in 2021. Heshared the snap in color for the first timealong with the metadata information proving that he took the portrait on an Apple iPad.
Misan Harriman and Meghan Markle at a screening of The After on Nov. 15, 2023.Emma McIntyre/Getty
Emma McIntyre/Getty
“I am honoured to have taken the official photographs at the Christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and to once again, be part of such a special and joyous occasion for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” Allerton said in a statement shared toInstagramat the time.
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The update came one week after the Princess of Wales releasedan apologyfor “any confusion” around herMother’s Day photowith her children —Prince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis— after multiple global photo agencies including Getty pulled the picture due tosuspicion of manipulation.
Kate Middleton with her three children, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
source: people.com
