Photography and news agencies have pulled a new photo of Kate Middleton released by Kensington Palace due to suspected manipulation.
On Sunday, the palace released a photo for Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom, showing the Princess of Wales, 42, smiling for the camera as her three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – stand around her. The photo was taken by Prince William, 41, earlier this week at the family home in Windsor, according to the palace.
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However, after the photo was shared with the public on social media, viewers began to express concern that the image appeared to be edited or even generated by artificial intelligence. News agencies around the world – including the Associated Press, Getty Images, Reuters and AFP – have removed the photos from their press libraries, citing concerns about manipulation.
Kate Middleton’s Mother’s Day 2024 photo shared by Kensington Palace.
The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
The AP has issued a “kill notice” to anyone using the photo, writing in a warning to reporters that upon “closer inspection, it appears the source manipulated the image.” A replacement photo will not be sent.”
An AP spokesperson released a statement to The Telegraphsaying: “The photograph shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left arm.”
Others also noted inconsistencies in the pattern placement of the sweater 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) by ITV Royal reporter Chris Ship, the palace has yet to comment on the allegations surrounding the photo.
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“No comment from Kensington Palace this evening after at least 3 international photo agencies refused to distribute this morning’s photo of Kate and her children,” Ship wrote.
PEOPLE has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.
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Kate Middleton.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
The drama surrounding the Mother’s Day photo comes amid questions about Princess Kate’s absence from the public following her “planned abdominal surgery” in January.
She remained in a London hospital until January 29, when she returned home to continue her recovery. The initial statement from the palace said he “is unlikely to return to public duties until Easter”, following medical advice.
The princess has been mostly recovering at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor since leaving hospital after 13 days of care in January. She was seen being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, on Monday, the first time she has been seen since the operation.
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Source: HIS Education