Royals faced with fresh Photoshop questions amid Kate Middleton controversy

A picture released last year by the royal family appears to have been edited multiple times.

The royal family has come under fire again after evidence emerged that another photo released by the palace had been edited multiple times.

The photo, released in 2023 to celebrate what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 97th birthday, has come under scrutiny after signs of alterations, edits and manipulations were found.

A picture taken by Kate Middleton last year appears to have been edited multiple times. Picture: Twitter

The photo features Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as well as grandchildren Mia, Lena, Lucas, Savannah, Isla, James and Lady Louise.

British newspaper The Guardian noted several instances in which the photo appeared to have been digitally altered. Among the changes, Prince Louis, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ youngest child, appeared to have been moved to an entirely different position in the frame, and the hair of Zara Tindall’s daughter apparently copied and pasted.

A Twitter thread also alleged numerous other changes, including evidence the Queen’s skirt had been edited, with many questioning if she was even present when the picture was taken.

The green sofa also appeared to have been edited and spliced together using Photoshop tools.

The Princess of Wales, 42, has been the subject of intense media speculation ever since Kensington Palace announced that she would be undergoing a “planned abdominal” surgery in January. The royals have not revealed any further details regarding the matter.

“The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” a brief statement shared via Instagram explained.

The photoshopped image of Kate Middleton the Princess of Wales that launched a slew of wild conspiracy theories. Picture: Kensington Palace/Instagram

The statement also noted that the palace would not be providing a running commentary on Kate’s health but would only share “significant” updates going forward.

The public’s intrigue exploded after Prince William, 41, abruptly pulled out of a memorial service for godfather King Constantine of Greece’s funeral service in late February for an undisclosed “personal” reason.

Speculation reached fever pitch just weeks later when the palace distributed a “manipulated” photo of Kate surrounded by her three children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 – to mark Mother’s Day in the UK.

Online sleuths quickly noticed the image had been Photoshopped and it and was “killed” by major photo agencies.

The now-viral mishap prompted Kate to release a rare apology, in which the self-proclaimed “amateur photographer” explained she had been experimenting. She is currently still expected to return to her royal duties next month.

Originally published as Royals faced with fresh Photoshop questions amid Kate Middleton controversy