Instead,it was recalled by five photo agencies – Getty,Associated Press,Agence France-Presse,Shutterstock and Reuters – which issued a “kill notice” to halt their distribution of the picture.
“At closer inspection,it appears that the source has manipulated the image,” the AP notice said.
Kensington Palace has refused to go further and explain what software was used in the editing of the picture or the way in which it was changed. A royal source,unable to speak on the record,said it was “an amateur,family photograph” and the couple wanted to offer an informal picture of the family together for Mother’s Day.
“The princess made minor adjustments as she shared in her statement on social media,” the source said.
Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski said the photograph released by Kensington Palace was a “massive own goal” for the monarchy.
He told theTelegraphthat it was “plausible” she was “at home playing with the computer and using an AI tool”.
“But if they’re really going to regain any sort of trust they should release the unedited photo,it can’t be that bad if they just made a few tweaks,” he said.
“They have risen to the challenge,provided the statement as an explanation – the question is,with all the conspiracy theories running around,whether people believe it and I’m not sure that they will.
“They are under pressure,massively under pressure,this is a massive own goal.”
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The agencies have a policy of not distributing photographs that have been overly edited and make a commitment to their clients that their photos are accurate and not digitally manipulated.
AP’s rules only allow “minor adjustments” in certain circumstances,including cropping and toning and colour adjustments,as well as the removal of dust on camera sensors. It says changes in density,contrast,colour and saturation levels “that substantially alter the original scene” are not acceptable.
It has become a regular routine for the royal couple to release their own photos of special family occasions. More often than not,the photos are taken by Catherine and are issued to the media with instructions on how they can be used.
An“inconsistency” with eight-year-old Charlotte’s hand was the detail that suggested to one picture agency the image had been manipulated. The photograph appeared to show a gap in the sleeve of her red cardigan.
The sleeve was the most obvious evidence of digital manipulation,but social media users noted a range of other inconsistencies in the image.
Catherine,42,spent two weeks at the London Clinic in Marylebone after her procedure,before returning on January 29 to Adelaide Cottage at Windsor where she was reunited with her children. The nature of her condition is unknown,with Kensington Palace staff saying that she wishes for privacy.
Neither Catherine nor the palace have so far confirmed any forthcoming engagements and the princess is said to be “unlikely” to return to public duties before Easter. However,palace aides have consistently advised that her recovery is “going well”.
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