Major photo agencies issued a “kill notice” regarding a new photograph issued by Kensington Palace of Kate Middleton and her three children.
According to the Mirror, the Associated Press (AP) Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Getty Images issued a “kill notice” to media outlets around the globe, stating that they had each deleted the Mother’s Day image of the Princess of Wales and her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, from their libraries.
“At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image,” a message from the Associated Press reportedly read.
Sources told the Mirror that the photo agencies believed the photograph of Prince William’s wife and kids had been altered from the original.
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A few eagle-eyed fans noticed several Photoshop fails in the image, which was said to have been taken by the Prince of Wales last week in Windsor, including the fact that the sleeve of Charlotte’s arm didn’t appear to line up correctly.
Additionally, fans questioned why George’s right hand was out of focus in the snap.
On Sunday, Middleton, 42, released the family photo on her Instagram account in honor of the UK’s Mother’s Day.
“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” she captioned the Instagram post.
“Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day,” she added before signing off with a “C,” the first letter of her first name, Catherine.
The image — which marked the first official photo of the princess since she underwent abdominal surgery on Jan. 16 — was immediately met with mounting conspiracy theories from fans who accused the photograph of being artificial intelligence.
“That looks like an AI photo…not one for the theories either but come on, that’s not a real photo … Idk doesn’t seem real,” one person wrote on Instagram.
Other fans questioned why Middleton — who tied the knot to William, 41, in 2011 — wasn’t wearing her iconic diamond and sapphire heirloom, which once belonged to the late Princess Diana.
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“WHERE’S YOUR RING??!! 💍” asked one fan, while another speculated, “no ring, tree in full bloom in winter, jeans after major abdomial [sic] surgery, face shape completely different from car photo.”
Middleton has kept a low profile since she was released from the hospital in January following her abdominal surgery.
Her discreet whereabouts have prompted a frenzy online from fans who believe she is recovering from other surgeries, including a Brazilian butt lift.
While the palace has been mum about what the surgery was treating, a rep for the mom of three told Page Six exclusively last month that she was “doing well” and they would not provide additional updates unless “significant.”