Kate Middleton with Prince William in new video? Conspiracy theories say otherwise

In recent weeks, the question on everyone's lips has been: Where is Kate Middleton? Speculation has run rampant, fuelled by social media buzz and wild theories. Despite recent visual evidence purportedly showing the Duchess of Cambridge at a farmer's market, doubts still linger.

A photo and accompanying video, circulated by British tabloid The Sun, depict a couple strolling through a market in Windsor. The publication claimed it was a smiling Kate Middleton accompanied by her husband, Prince William. "Great to see you Kate," The Sun declared on Monday evening, alongside what it purported were images of the princess sporting leggings and a black top.

Commentators weighed in on the purported sighting, with Piers Morgan tweeting, "Great to see Kate laughing and joking with William on their shopping trip. She's obviously recovering well. This should end a lot of the conspiracy theories…"

Great to see (via @TheSun ) Kate laughing and joking with William on their shopping trip. She’s obviously recovering well. This should end a lot of the conspiracy theories… pic.twitter.com/UM57fkbXix

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 18, 2024

Additionally, Nelson Silva, who captured the video, shared his observations with The Sun, stating, "I didn't feel like they were hiding who they were. But they didn't quite know how people would react because there has been this build-up about their whereabouts and I got the sense they just wanted to be swift in there." Silva described Kate as appearing "happy and relaxed.”

Meanwhile, The Daily Mail hailed the images as "an image that will silence the conspiracy theorists.”

Far from quelling concerns, the footage has reignited the debate, with eagle-eyed social media users pointing out various inconsistencies. Some critics questioned the quality of the imagery, arguing that it appeared grainy in an era dominated by high-definition technology.

Additionally, conspiracy theorists raised the possibility of a body double, casting doubt on the identity of the woman depicted.

“This is clearly not Kate Middleton,” one user commented on Morgan’s tweet.

“First that doesn't look like kate. 2nd why would they be at a grocery store? 3. why is the picture so fuzzy. You would think the photographer would take a clear picture of them considering who they are,” a second wrote.

A third commented: “That isn't her it stands out a mile. I'm not entirely convinced that's William either (the hair at the back oft he cap is a give away).”

AI upscale image pic.twitter.com/rrTt1EboWW

— Nicholas Franklin (@TheEmperorSon) March 18, 2024

Ears are different pic.twitter.com/wtvhAFXb7z

— Sarmad Ahmad (@CricketGuly) March 18, 2024

You do know that the UK has some very good impersonators who‘s job it is to appear at company functions. Just saying. That short 10second clip just ending abruptly before we can see them closer, doesn‘t show me one way or another pic.twitter.com/zS5PXRfAC8

— Mrs. SpaceX (@anuibi) March 18, 2024

These developments come on the heels of a previous controversy surrounding the release of edited photos of Kate by the Buckingham Palace, which later issued a retraction amid claims of manipulation by several news agencies.

Since undergoing abdominal surgery on January 16 for a non-cancerous condition, Kate Middleton, 42, has largely remained out of the public eye. Despite sporadic blurry sightings, social media has been inundated with speculation about her health, generating global headlines and rampant rumours.