Kate Middleton's Mother's Day photo sparks controversy: Photo agencies delete image for suspected manipulation

The official image released by Kensington Palace for Mother's Day, showing Kate Middleton with her three children, has sparked controversy after three photo agencies deleted the image over fears of manipulation. The Associated Press was the first to remove the photo, claiming an "inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand". Reuters and AFP followed suit, issuing takedown notices.

The Princess of Wales, in a statement on Kensington Palace's social networks, apologized for any confusion caused by the photograph, explaining that, like many amateur photographers, she occasionally experiments with editing. Kate Middleton, 42, spent 13 nights in a private hospital following abdominal surgery, and is not expected to take part in official public engagements again until Easter.

The release of the image was an attempt to reassure the public about the recovery of the princess, who wants to maintain as much normality as possible for her children during this period. The team supporting her while she recovers is small and limited to those closest to her. The photo, which was widely circulated in newspapers and on websites around the world, is now under review following withdrawal notices from photo agencies.