Latest Kate Middleton photo hit with ‘kill notice’ over editing claim

A photograph of Kate Middleton and her children shared by Kensington Palace has been given a ‘kill notice’ by four major pictures agencies over claims it was ‘manipulated’.

Earlier today a tweet on the KensingtonRoyal X account shared a photograph of the Princess of Wales with her children alongside a Mother’s Day message – the first message penned by Kate since her surgery two months ago.

That picture has been used and distributed by major international picture agencies including Getty Images, Associated Press, AFP and Reuters – but all four have now withdrawn the image from their archives.

Giving a reason for its ‘kill notification’, Associated Press said: ‘At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image.’

AFP said: ‘Due to an editorial issue this photo by Prince of Wales has been withdrawn from AFP systems and may no longer be used in any manner.

‘Please immediately remove it from all your online services, stop using.’

While Reuters said: ‘This has been withdrawn following a post publication review. Please make no further use.’

Sources said the agencies believe the image, said by Kensington Palace to have been taken last week in Windsor showing the Princess and Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, five, had been edited from the original.

Earlier this week the Prince of Wales addressed the numerous conspiracy theories surrounding his wife’s health and whereabouts – but it’s likely this image may fuel yet more speculation.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.

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