London: Catherine, Princess of Wales has apologised for causing “any confusion” after admitting to editing a family photograph that was withdrawn by picture agencies amid suspicions it was digitally altered.
In a social media post from the @KensingtonRoyal account on X, Catherine said: “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. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
The first official photo of Catherine, Princess of Wales since her abdominal surgery in January sparked much speculation.Credit: Instagram
The photograph of Catherine surrounded by her three children George, 10, Charlotte, 8 and Louis, 5 was taken by her husband, Prince William, and was the first authorised picture of her since Christmas. She had abdominal surgery in mid-January and the palace announced that she would not appear in public under after Easter.
Released on Mother’s Day in the UK, it was hoped that the release of the picture would quell speculation and conspiracy theories about her health and whereabouts.
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.
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. “The Wales family spent Mother’s Day together and had a wonderful day.”
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 which suggested to one picture agency the image had been manipulated. The photograph, which was said to have been taken by the William at their home in Windsor earlier this week, 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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