Meghan and Harry wade into Kate Middleton’s Photoshop crisis as team declare ‘this isn’t a mistake Meg would make’
SOURCES close to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have waded into Princess Kate's Photoshop crisis.
Kate apologised after admitting adjusting the Mother's Day image was intended to be an informal picture with her three children.
The Princess of Wales was last night said to be “very sad” that the picture triggered a global furore.
She is believed to have altered it three times on a computer before it was released on Sunday.
The Sun’s picture desk has found 12 clues that show likely editing.
Inspection of the original image revealed it as taken on a Canon camera with a 50mm lens.
It had been edited three times on Adobe Photoshop — once on Friday evening and twice on Saturday.
Experts claim several areas have been altered ranging from Charlotte’s cuff to even Kate replacing her face.
Like any mother she strived to make the photo the best it could be, and never intended for it to become a major controversy.
But now, a source has told Page Six that exiled British royals Harry and Meg would “have been annihilated” if they had handed out secretly Photoshopped images of themselves and their family.
They added: "The same rules do not apply to both couples.
“This isn’t a mistake that Meghan would ever make … she has a keen eye and freakish attention to detail.”
Picture agencies withdrew, or “killed”, the image when discrepancies were discovered — with the BBC leading bulletins with the row all yesterday.
Yesterday Kate turned her head from photographers as she left Windsor Castle by car with a pensive William at her side.
Last night Kensington Palace refused to release the original photo, explain which parts had been altered, or say why.
But it did say a single photo was doctored rather than several images combined.
As if to allay wild conspiracy theories about Kate’s health, the Palace added: “The Wales family spent Mother’s Day together and had a wonderful day.”
Omid Scobie, a cheerleader for Harry and Meghan, led criticism, saying: “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for the public to believe a word (and now photo) they share”.
Kate, 42, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, apologised in a statement yesterday morning.
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. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day.”
But Kate received sympathy for fronting up at the first opportunity.
She is understood to have wanted to issue a family photo as she does on Mother’s Day and knew that it would be heavily scrutinised.
The image, with George, ten, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five, was withdrawn by picture agencies late on Sunday over fears it had been doctored.
The Sun’s picture desk has found 12 clues that show likely editing.
Inspection of the original image revealed it as taken on a Canon camera with a 50mm lens.
It had been edited three times on Adobe Photoshop — once on Friday evening and twice on Saturday.
WHY WERE 'KILL NOTICES' ISSUED?
News agencies ordered a "kill notice" on the picture late Sunday night.
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."
PA 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."
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.
Experts claim several areas have been altered ranging from Charlotte’s cuff to even Kate replacing her face.
Like any mother she strived to make the photo the best it could be, and never intended for it to become a major controversy.
KATE'S HEALTH BATTLE
Kate was last seen on public duty on Christmas Day.
She went to the London Clinic 8 weeks ago for abdominal surgery.
The Palace insists she is doing well and not expected back to public duty until April.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Yesterday William attended the Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Kate had a private appointment in London.
