London, UK – Four international photo agencies have retracted an image of the Princess of Wales and her children due to concerns about manipulation. The photo, captured by Prince William for Mother’s Day, marked the first released by Kensington Palace since the princess’s recent surgery. Although the palace declined to comment, Getty Images, AFP, Reuters, and Associated Press pulled the photo citing an “inconsistency in alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand.”
The picture featured the princess sitting with Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George, the latter affectionately wrapping his arms around her. It was the first official photo of the Princess of Wales following her abdominal surgery two months prior, during which she has maintained a low public profile. The photo was accompanied by a message from Catherine thanking supporters for their well wishes over the past two months and wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.
The royal couple has a tradition of releasing their own family photos for special occasions, often taken by Catherine and shared with the media with specific usage instructions. Prior to the online posting of Prince William’s family image, it would have undergone review by the social media team at Kensington Palace, who oversee the Prince and Princess of Wales’s online accounts. The concerns about manipulation raised by the retracted photo likely stem from editing discrepancies that arose during its preparation for release.
News agencies like the Associated Press have strict guidelines to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of photos they distribute. AP’s rules permit only minor adjustments, such as cropping and color corrections, while substantial alterations that drastically modify the original scene are deemed unacceptable. In the case of the Princess of Wales’s photo, doubts over manipulation have overshadowed the intended message of her recovery and sparked renewed speculation across social media platforms.
Catherine, 42, recently spent nearly two weeks recovering at the London Clinic following her surgery, although details about her condition remain limited to ensure her privacy. The palace has reassured the public that her health concerns are not related to cancer and that updates on her recovery will be shared only when significant new information arises. Despite the intent for the photo to provide reassurance, it has instead stirred further debate and scrutiny surrounding the princess’s health and absence from public appearances.