BREAKING NEWS Kate Middleton's Mother's Day photo is pulled over 'manipulation' fears: Picture is recalled by agencies as questions are raised over the first image of the Princess of Wales since her surgery

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13180643/Kates-Mothers-Day-picture-taken-Prince-William-digitally-manipulated.html

>have they been lurking here?

It was a beautiful Mother's Day image designed to calm nerves and quell vicious internet speculation about the Princess of Wales's condition.

But last night questions were raised over possible digital manipulation of a new family photograph showing Kate with her three children.

The image is the first time Kate, 42, has been pictured publicly – officially at least – since undergoing abdominal surgery in January. But in an extraordinary development last night, foreign picture agencies including Reuters, AP, Getty and AFP withdrew the picture, saying it may have been digitally manipulated.

While there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the photo, officially issued by Kensington Palace, it will do nothing to dampen the ridiculous online conspiracy theories swirling around the princess.

AP issued an alert asking for it to be 'killed' from their system, saying: 'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image.'

Others demand it be removed from picture libraries for 'editorial' reasons.

AFP added: 'Mandatory kill. Due to an editorial issue this photo by the Prince of Wales has been withdrawn… and may no longer by used in any manner. Please immediately remove it from all your online services, stop using it in any other fashion and delete it from your servers.'

>mandatory kill

Reuters said the picture was being removed from circulation 'following a post publication review'. There is huge concern in the news industry currently about the manipulation of photographs using AI technology, although it is not clear whether that happened in this case.

Some royal watchers pointed out that Princess Charlotte's wrist and sleeve of her jumper appeared to have been digitally altered. There also appeared to be an issue with the heel of Charlotte's boot and with the paving behind the family.

From Prince Louis' hands to clothing patterns and lines not matching up, eagle-eyed members of the public pointed out a litany of what they believed to be suspicious issues with the photo.

In the image, one of Louis' fingers appears to be shorter than the others as he appears to be crossing his fingers in an odd gesture.

Further aspects pointed out by social media users include the length of Prince George's arms and the leaves on the trees not matching up with the claim the photo is recent.

The apparent editing errors in the photograph has added duel to the fire of the conspiracy theories circulating about the whereabouts of Kate Middleton.

It comes after the Wales's' family Christmas card was criticised for a 'Photoshop fail' with one of Louis' fingers apparently missing – at the time, sources insisted it was merely bent back.

Kensington Palace appeared to be taken by surprise at the development last night and declined to comment. But it will do little to quell fevered online and social media speculation around the princess, which the release of the picture had hoped to do.

It was originally posted directly by Kensington Palace onto their social media channels and then sent to global picture agencies. It is said to have been taken by the Prince of Wales earlier in the week at their home in Windsor and is understood to have been sent on to the palace press office on Saturday directly by the couple.

Outside of a grainy paparazzi picture last week, it is the first time that Kate has been seen since she joined the Royal Family at church on Christmas Day.

While in previous years the couple have issued pictures taken by professional photographers, Adelaide Cottage has become a particular sanctuary for the family in the months since the princess was admitted to hospital on January 16, with only closest family permitted to visit. The photo was accompanied by a personally-penned message which read: 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C'

Despite what was clearly a serious operation, resulting in the need for a lengthy period of recuperation, many will feel comforted by how radiant Kate looks.