Palace under pressure to respond to claims of ‘editing fails’ in Princess Kate’s Mother’s Day photo as confusion grows

PRESSURE is mounting on Kensington Palace to respond to “editing fail” claims around Princess Kate’s sweet Mother’s Day photo.

The family snap was shared yesterday morning, showing her and Prince George, 10 Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, beaming.

The heartfelt caption shared alongside the photograph marks the first time the princess has spoken out publicly since her surgery.

However, the image sparked an online frenzy after royal fans claimed the picture was edited – before photo agencies ordered a “kill notice” on the pic.

The four large news agencies – AP, Getty Images, Reuters, AFP – all withdrew the pic over fears it had been ‘edited at source’.

The original X post now has a warning on it that reads: “Major news agencies, including the Associated Press, Getty Images, and Reuters, note inconsistencies that suggest digital alteration by Kensington Palace.”

Fans questioned why Kate wasn’t wearing her wedding ring and noticed that her other hand was blurry.

Others said Charlotte’s cardigan sleeve seemed to disappear and her skirt was fuzzy.

Fans also claimed there appeared to be an odd cut in the skirting board.

In a colour corrected and lightened version of the image, Kate’s zip appears not to line up.

Meanwhile, some fans reckoned the colour of the tree’s leaves are wrong for this time of year.

The Sun’s Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards has blasted the “spoiling” of the photograph by editing.

He said: “To me it wasn’t about the sleeve, it’s about the fact that Catherine looked so good and the smiles on the children.

“It’s just a lovely family photograph. I’d have been proud to take that photograph and I’m sorry it’s been spoiled by this stupid photo editing. It’s not even been done properly.

“My view is the agencies in the US are so fussy we can’t even take the red eye out, we mustn’t touch it.

“Their rules are their rules. I’m so pleased the picture is still being run because it shows Catherine looks so well.”

Kensington Palace is now under pressure to respond to the accusations, with one royal expert saying people will now be questioning them.

Royal commentator Peter Hunt said: “This is damaging for the royals. They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate.

“Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.”

The Palace had said the photo was snapped by Prince William last week, and was the first time Kate had posted online in months.

She captioned the sweet pic: “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.

“Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C.”

Last night international picture agencies Reuters, AP, Getty and AFP issued “mandatory kill” warnings for the family photo.

It is standard practice for picture agencies to withdraw edited images.

In its “kill notice”, AP said: “At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image.”

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat was quizzed on the photo this morning and said he thought it was “important that we record what we put out is honest and that we record situations accurately”.

He told Times Radio: “You wouldn’t expect me to comment on any photos, particularly not on Mother’s Day, when I think many of us were snapping away and slightly improving photographs that we took of our mothers, but mostly of our kids who were sort of wriggling around. So I’m not going to be judging on that.

“But I think it is important that we record what we put out is honest and that we record situations accurately. So I’m sure that like any family, there’s a few moments that you could get better.”

Asked if his department would release a photo that had been doctored, he said: “We’re always very careful about what we put out. But you’re luring me down a path here.

“I’m not going down there because it’s a family photo and it’s Mother’s Day.”

It comes as rumours about Kate’s health were sparked after William missed a memorial service two weeks ago.

He had been expected to perform a reading, but pulled out due to a “personal matter”.

Kate had only been spotted once since her surgery, in the passenger seat of a black Audi as mum Carole, 69, drove her near Windsor Castle.

She was wearing sunglasses and appeared to be smiling slightly.

It followed her “planned major abdominal surgery” in January at the London clinic.

The central London private hospital also treated The King while he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Kensington Palace said previously Kate was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

The statement read: “The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.

“She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”

Kate’s uncle Gary Goldsmith has also spoken about her recovery on Celebrity Big Brother.

He said:  “I spoke to her mum, my sister, she’s getting the best care in the world.

“And all the family’s done is put the wagons round and look after family first before anything else.

“They put a statement out and just said, ‘She’s taking some time to (recuperate) and will see you in Easter’.”

If the princess recuperates according to plans, her first engagement back could be at the family service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, on Easter Sunday, March 31.

It comes after confusion over whether the royal would be making an appearance while reviewing a dress rehearsal at Horse Guards Parade for the Trooping of the Colour on June 8.