PICTURE PUZZLE
Kate Middleton forced to respond after fans blasted ‘editing fails’ in her Mother’s Day photo
Fans say Princess Kate's hand is strangely blurry while Princess Charlotte's sleeve 'vanishes'
PRINCESS KATE has responded to "editing fail" claims around her 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.
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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.
Kate has now revealed she experimented with editing as she apologised for "any confusion the family photograph caused".
She wrote: "Like many amateur photographers I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.
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"I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day."
The five large news agencies - PA, AP, Getty Images, Reuters, AFP - all withdrew the pic over fears it had been 'edited at source'.
A spokesperson for the UK's national news agency said: "Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday.
"We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace. In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service."
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Kate's photo 'editing' confusion comes as:
- Princess Kate apologises for "confusion" caused by inconsistencies in family image
- Princess Kate is pictured with Prince William leaving Windsor Castle this afternoon in a black Land Rover
- Piers Morgan calls for the Palace to share the unedited photo to quell internet sleuths
- Kate’s uncle Gary Goldsmith gives his verdict on Mother’s Day picture as he speaks out after CBB eviction
- Photo agencies release 'kill notice' on Princess Kate's Mother's Day picture
- Twitter's warning over Princess Kate photo inconsistencies
- King Charles releases video message saying he’ll ‘continue to serve you, to the best of my ability’ amid cancer battle
The sweet Mother's Day picture was shared by Kensington Palace after weeks of speculation surrounding Kate's health as she recovers from abdominal surgery.
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 Princess of Wales’s uncle Gary Goldsmith has said his niece is getting the 'best care in the world'
One royal expert has said people will now be questioning Kensington Palace.
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."
Why did photo agencies issue ‘kill notices’ on Princess Kate’s Mother’s Day picture?
PICTURE agencies have issued 'kill notices' on Princess Kate's Mother's Day picture.
The removal orders were sent after "manipulation" on the image was discovered.
AP's order said the reason for killing the story was: "At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image."
The order then directs those who have used the photo to remove it from all platforms, including social.
Agence France-Press ordered the "mandatory kill" due to an "editorial issue" and directed that the image may no longer be used.
Reuters said the photo “has been withdrawn following a post publication review.”
Getty Images said: “For editorial reasons, please remove the following image(s) from your system and do not use in any manner.”
Getty said its picture desk "identified a problematic image" provided by the palace and removed it from its site "in accordance with our editorial policy."
Each of the news agencies have their own editorial guidelines which govern how they treat images.
AP says that pictures "must always tell the truth" and that it does not alter or manipulate the content of a photograph in any way.
Its guidelines say: "The content of a photograph must not be altered in PhotoShop or by any other means. No element should be digitally added to or subtracted from any photograph."
However, AP says minor adjustments are allowed, they include cropping, colour adjustments, and light adjustments.
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.
Timeline of Royal health battles
HERE is a date-by-date rundown of the health battles to have struck the Royals this year.
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery.
JAN 17: It is announced that the King is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside.
JAN 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen.
JAN 21: It is announced Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a skin cancer.
JAN 23: Kate’s hospital stay passes one week. JAN 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment.
JAN 29: The King is discharged from hospital. Kate leaves the same day.
JAN 31: Queen Camilla announces that the King is “getting on, doing his best”.
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces the King has cancer, but not of the prostate, and will not carry out public-facing duties.
FEB 18: The King appears in good spirits as he attends a Sunday church service in the grounds of Sandringham.
FEB 23: The King filmed crying and chuckling while opening some of the 7,000 cards from well-wishers.
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate's health.
MARCH 4: Kate Middleton pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
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'."
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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.
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