The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Fears over post-op photo of princess
The first picture of the Princess of Wales following her abdominal surgery has been released, as she thanked the public for their support, but claims have been made that the image has been manipulated.
The photo of Kate and her children, taken by the Prince of Wales in Windsor earlier this week, was posted on social media to mark Mother’s Day.
The photograph was shared with media yesterday but it was withdrawn by international picture agencies later the same day because of concerns that the image had been manipulated.
There was speculation that edits had been made to the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte’s cardigan, and other areas of the picture also raised concerns about possible manipulation.
Confusion over the picture could fuel online conspiracies about Kate which have been swirling on the internet since her surgery.
In the social media post she said: “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.
“Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C.”
The picture shows Kate in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on either side, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile.
The photo of the princess is the first released to the public since she was admitted for a planned operation on January 16 to the same private hospital where the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-law’s bedside after being admitted himself on January 26 – the 11th day of Kate’s stay.
She was also visited by her husband William.
Kate left the hospital on January 29, almost two weeks later, and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
Details of the princess’s illness have never been revealed but Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate, 42, wished her medical information to remain private. She was last pictured in public during a Christmas Day walk in Norfolk.
Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and William, 41, had temporarily stepped back from his royal role.
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.