First post-op photo of Princess of Wales withdrawn due to ‘manipulation’

The first official photograph of the Princess of Wales to be released after her abdominal surgery two months ago has been recalled by some of the world’s biggest picture agencies over claims it had been manipulated.

The image, released to mark Mother’s Day in the UK, shows Catherine sitting on a chair surrounded by her three children. It is the first authorised picture of her since Christmas.

After its release, the photo was recalled by photo agencies including Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters, which put out 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 spokesperson for AP told the Telegraph: “The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand.”

AFP said: “Mandatory kill. Due to an editorial issue this photo by the Prince of Wales has been withdrawn … and may no longer by used in any manner. Please immediately remove it from all your online services, stop using it in any other fashion and delete it from your servers.”

Reuters said in a statement it had withdrawn the picture following a post-publication review. “We are reviewing the matter,” a spokesperson said.

Reuters picture editors said part of the sleeve of Princess Charlotte’s cardigan did not line up properly, suggesting that the image had been altered. Reuters said it could not immediately establish how, why or by whom the alteration had been made.

A spokesperson for the PA news agency said it had not killed the picture on its service, but was seeking urgent clarification from Kensington Palace about the concerns raised about manipulation.

In a story published later, Associated Press said that according to its “news values and principles”, minor edits to photos including cropping, toning and colour adjustment are “acceptable when necessary for clear and accurate reproduction and should maintain the authentic nature of the photograph”.

It added that “changes in density, contrast, color and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning. The removal of ‘red eye’ from photographs is not permissible.”

Speculation and conspiracy theories have grown since Catherine has been out of the public eye recovering from the planned abdominal operation in January, when it was said she was expected to be recuperating until around Easter.

The photo was posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ social media accounts on Sunday morning, along with a message thanking well-wishers for their support.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” the message read. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C.” Kensington Palace said the image was taken in Windsor earlier this week by the Prince of Wales.

Details of the princess’s condition have not been revealed, but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Catherine wished her personal medical information to remain private.

Kensington Palace has declined to comment.