Kate Middleton's 2024 Mother's Day Photo 'Killed' After Associated Press Alleges the Image Was 'Manipulated'

Photo and news agencies have pulled a new photo of Kate Middleton released by Kensington Palace due to suspicions of manipulation.

On Sunday, the palace released a photo for Mother’s Day in the U.K., featuring the Princess of Wales, 42, smiling at the camera as her three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — stood around her. The photo was taken by Prince William, 41, earlier this week at the family's home in Windsor, according to the palace.

However, after the photo was shared with the public on social media, viewers began to express concerns that the image seemed edited or even AI-generated. News agencies worldwide — including the Associated Press, Getty Images, Reuters and the AFP — removed the photos from their press libraries, citing concerns about manipulation.

AP issued a “kill notification” for anyone using the photo, writing in an alert to journalists that after “closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image. No replacement photo will be sent.”

An AP spokesperson released a statement to The Telegraph, saying, "The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand."

Others have also noted inconsistencies in the alignment of the sweater pattern on Prince Louis' shoulder, as well as a jagged white line in the background near his knee.

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from ITV Royal reporter Chris Ship, the palace has yet to comment on the allegations surrounding the photo.

“No comment from Kensington Palace tonight after at least 3 international pictures agencies refuse to distribute this morning’s photo of Kate and her children,” Ship wrote.

PEOPLE has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.

The drama surrounding the Mother’s Day photo comes amid questions about Princess Kate’s absence from the public eye after her “planned abdominal surgery" in January.

She remained at a London hospital until Jan. 29, when she returned home to continue her recovery. The initial statement from the palace said she was "unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter," following medical advice.

The princess has been recuperating primarily at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor since leaving the hospital following 13 days of care in January. She was spotted on Monday being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, marking the first time she's been seen since the operation.