A recently released image of Kate Middleton, issued by Kensington Palace to put all rumors about her health to rest, has ended up creating new controversies.
Various news agencies have issued notices not to use the image of Kate and her three children, including the Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Getty Images, and Agence France-Presse (AFP). All three on Sunday night withdrew it and told media outlets to “kill” the photo from their systems and archives because they believe that it has been manipulated.
The AP said the photo had been withdrawn because upon “closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image” and the photo showed an “inconsistency in the alignment” of the left hand of Kate’s daughter, Princess Charlotte.
The AFP said the image could not be used as it had been “altered” without elaborating.
Reuters said it had deleted the image “following a post-publication review”.
Kensington Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The photo was posted on the royal couple’s official X account on Sunday accompanied by a caption thanking the public for their “kind wishes and continued support over the last two months” and wishing the public a Happy Mother’s Day.
The image was reportedly taken by Kate’s husband, Prince William, during the past week on the grounds of Windsor Castle just outside of London.
Background
The release of the image, which remained online on Sunday night despite the withdrawal notices, came after Kensington Palace announced in January that Kate, 42, had been hospitalised for surgery and would take a break from official royal duties until after Easter.
The lack of details about the reasons for her surgery and her prolonged absence from the public has prompted a plethora of speculation and conspiracy theories about her condition.
Kate last appeared in public on Christmas Day while attending a church service at the royal family’s Sandringham estate.
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