Princess Kate ‘very sad’ over tweaked photo storm and just wanted Mother’s Day family portrait to be perfect

THE Princess of Wales was last night said to be “very sad” that a happy family photo to celebrate Mother’s Day had triggered a global furore.

Kate apologised after admitting adjusting the image, which sources said she had intended as an informal picture with her three children.

5

5

The Princess was subjected to heavy social media criticism.

She is believed to have altered it three times on a computer before it was released on Sunday.

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. 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.”

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.”

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”.

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, had been removed from publication 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.

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.

5

5

Royal author Ingrid Seward said: “It is ridiculous and deeply unfair when she is trying to recover from major surgery.

"She has been posing for pictures all her royal life so just give her a break.”

Kate was last seen on public duty on Christmas Day.

She went to the London Clinic 11 weeks ago for abdominal surgery.

The Palace insists she is doing well and not expected back to public duty until April.

Yesterday William attended the Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Kate had a private appointment in London.

There have been claims, largely dismissed at the time, that the Wales’s family Christmas card had been digitally altered.

It is ridiculous and deeply unfair when she is trying to recover from major surgery. She has been posing for pictures all her royal life so just give her a break

Ingrid Seward

Kate posted the Mother’s Day photo on Sunday morning in a move many believed was an attempt to dispel the conspiracy theories over her health.

The photo, taken by William, was seen by 72million people on the couple’s X/Twitter account and got two million likes on Instagram.
But online sleuths soon recognised it had been doctored.

Associated Press said: “It appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP’s photo standards.”

The agency stressed there was an inconsistency with the position of Charlotte’s left hand.

Agence France-Presse, Reuters, Getty and the Press Association followed suit in “killing” the image.

Royal author Phil Dampier said: “It is ironic that it is the first time William has taken a picture that they have released publicly and this has happened.

“It seems he has sent this to Kensington Palace’s press office and they have not picked up on it — and just sent it out without asking any questions.”

5