Kate Middleton's Mother's Day photo is pulled over 'manipulation' fears: Picture is recalled by agencies as questions are raised over the first image of the Princess of Wales since her surgery

It was a beautiful Mother's Day image designed to calm nerves and quell vicious internet speculation about the Princess of Wales's condition.

But last night questions were raised over possible digital manipulation of a new family photograph showing Kate with her three children.

The image is the first time Kate, 42, has been pictured publicly – officially at least – since undergoing abdominal surgery in January. But in an extraordinary development last night, foreign picture agencies including Reuters, AP, Getty and AFP withdrew the picture, saying it may have been digitally manipulated.

While there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the photo, officially issued by Kensington Palace, it will do nothing to dampen the ridiculous online conspiracy theories swirling around the princess. 

AP issued an alert asking for it to be 'killed' from their system, saying: 'At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image.'

Others demand it be removed from picture libraries for 'editorial' reasons.

Kensington Palace has released the first picture of Kate since her surgery as the Princess of Wales thanked the public for their support in a Mother's Day message while she continues to recuperate

The Princess of Wales has not been seen since she attended the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham 

AFP added: 'Mandatory kill. Due to an editorial issue this photo by the Prince of Wales has been withdrawn... and may no longer by used in any manner. Please immediately remove it from all your online services, stop using it in any other fashion and delete it from your servers.'

Reuters said the picture was being removed from circulation 'following a post publication review'. There is huge concern in the news industry currently about the manipulation of photographs using AI technology, although it is not clear whether that happened in this case.

Some royal watchers pointed out that Princess Charlotte's wrist and sleeve of her jumper appeared to have been digitally altered. There also appeared to be an issue with the heel of Charlotte's boot and with the paving behind the family.

From Prince Louis' hands to clothing patterns and lines not matching up, eagle-eyed members of the public pointed out a litany of what they believed to be suspicious issues with the photo.

In the image, one of Louis' fingers looks shorter than the others as he appears to be crossing his fingers in an odd gesture.

Further aspects pointed out by social media users include the length of Prince George's arms, Princess Charlotte's jumper sleeve looking disconnected from her hand, 'blurry' hair and the late-autumn leaves on the trees not matching up with the claim the photo is recent.

The apparent editing errors in the photograph has added fuel to the fire of the conspiracy theories circulating about the whereabouts of Kate Middleton. 

It comes after the Wales' family Christmas card was criticised for a 'Photoshop fail' with one of Louis' fingers apparently missing – at the time, sources insisted it was merely bent back.

Kensington Palace appeared to be taken by surprise at the development last night and declined to comment. But it will do little to quell fevered online and social media speculation around the princess, which the release of the picture had hoped to do.

Reuters said the picture was being removed  'following a post publication review'

Eagle-eyed members of the public were quick to point out odd aspects of the image

It appears Charlotte's hand was copied over from another picture

Kate left hospital on January 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her children almost two weeks after having the surgery. Pictured: Kate and William in September 2022 

William has been stepping up royal engagements in Kate's absence. Pictured: Prince William and Princess Kate are seen at a  ceremonial welcome for The President and the First Lady of the Republic of Korea at Horse Guards Parade on November 21 last year

It was originally posted directly by Kensington Palace onto their social media channels and then sent to global picture agencies. It is said to have been taken by the Prince of Wales earlier in the week at their home in Windsor and is understood to have been sent on to the palace press office on Saturday directly by the couple.

Outside of a grainy paparazzi picture last week, it is the first time that Kate has been seen since she joined the Royal Family at church on Christmas Day.

While in previous years the couple have issued pictures taken by professional photographers, Adelaide Cottage has become a particular sanctuary for the family in the months since the princess was admitted to hospital on January 16, with only closest family permitted to visit. The photo was accompanied by a personally-penned message which read: 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C'

Despite what was clearly a serious operation, resulting in the need for a lengthy period of recuperation, many will feel comforted by how radiant Kate looks.

Officials have said  that the Princess of Wales (pictured on December 5) continues to do 'well'. Kate plans to return to royal engagements after Easter

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams was joined by royal fans in showing their delight at seeing the Mother's Day photo of Kate

Wearing jeans with a casual jacket and jumper, plus her favourite £250 Chloe walking boots, she sits with her arms around Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis. Prince George, ten, stands behind her with his arms draped around his mother's neck.

All four are clearly roaring with laughter, either at their father or something behind the camera.

Kensington Palace's refusal to provide any significant update on the princess' condition has been criticised in recent weeks. Although they made clear from the start the public should not expect a running commentary on her recuperation – at the personal request of Kate – their silence has resulted in a swirl of speculation and innuendo in the darker reaches of social media.

King Charles also shared a touching tribute to his 'darling Mama' on Mother's Day and wrote: 'Wishing all Mothers, and those who are missing their Mums today, a peaceful Mothering Sunday'

Some of it has been vacuous and clearly designed to titillate, such as the ludicrous suggestion that the princess may be recovering from a 'Brazilian bum lift'.

Other claims, however, have been downright sick and slanderous in the extreme, often accompanied by frighteningly sophisticated, mocked-up photographs of Kate.

The chatter of gossipmongers has become so loud that mainstream publications, from the New York Times to British Vogue, have taken to writing about it, while even the BBC and ITV have run reports on the trending issue '#WhereisKate?'

Sources said yesterday that Kate is unlikely to resume public duties until at least after Easter.