Now French picture agency AfP reissues Kate Middleton Mother's Day image with circles highlighting photoshop fails after it issued 'kill notice' along with five other agencies

French news agency AFP has reissued the 'manipulated' photo of the Princess of Wales and her children, while also highlighting the image's photoshop fails.

Kensington Palace released the image of Kate, 42, and her children on Sunday to mark Mother's Day. 

It was the first official photo of Kate since she had abdominal surgery nearly two months ago and was reportedly intended to calm concern and speculation about the royal's health. 

But the photo had the opposite effect as it became abundantly clear that the image had been edited, prompting AFP and five other agencies, including PA, Getty, Reuters and The Associated Press, to 'kill' the image.

AFP reissued the picture today with circles around the 'several inconsistencies' in the photo after Kate released a statement admitting that she 'occasionally experiments with editing'.

French news agency AFP has reissued the 'manipulated' photo of the Princess of Wales and her children, while also highlighting the image's photoshop fails

AFP reissued the picture today with circles around the 'several inconsistencies' in the photo after Kate released a statement admitting that she 'occasionally experiments with editing'

The news agency posted the family portrait on X today, highlighting four inconsistencies in the image.

'The official photo released by Kensington Palace (L) alongside close crops highlighting several inconsistencies in alignments after it came to light that the handout image had been manipulated,' AFP tweeted.

AFP focused on inconsistencies in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand with the sleeve of her sweater, how her skirt was unusually straight, and how her hair ended abruptly on her shoulder.

It also showed how the zipper on Kate's top appears to be further left than it should be. 

While AFP only highlighted four apparent photoshop fails in its post, MailOnline has independently identified at least 16 issues with the image.

Kate this morning admitted that she had edited the photograph and issued a personal apology 'for any confusion' it had caused.

'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,' the Princess of Wales said in a social media post. 

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day.'

Sky News' analysis of the photo's metadata found the image was taken with a Canon camera and was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on an Apple Mac. Other experts suggested she may have used an AI tool.

Kensington Palace said it would not release the original unedited photograph. And while Kate's statement provided a measure of clarification, it looked unlikely to stop the swirl of rumour that has accelerated during her absence from public duties. 

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

In the past, the palace has issued several of Kate's family snapshots featuring her and heir to the throne, Prince William, with their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

The latest photo was taken by William, Kensington Palace said. In an accompanying social media message, Kate said: 'Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day.'

While there was no suggestion the photo was fake, agencies retracted it because closer inspection revealed the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet their photo standards.

The royal family is under particular scrutiny because King Charles III has also had to cancel public duties while he undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

The monarch has cancelled all his public engagements, though he has been photographed walking to church and meeting privately with government officials and dignitaries.

Charles' relative openness about his diagnosis was a departure for the generally secretive royal family. But it has been eclipsed in popular interest by curiosity over Kate's condition. In the absence of firm information, conspiracy theories have rushed to fill the vacuum.

The PA news agency said it had withdrawn the image of Kate from its picture service today

Along with AFP, five other picture agencies around the world have taken the extraordinary step of killing the photo of Princess Kate

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

The Prince and Princess of Wales's annual Christmas card image with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, appeared to have a Photoshop fail. Louis' middle finger was missing in the photo

The release of the photo followed weeks of gossip on social media about what had happened to Kate since she left a hospital Jan. 29 after a nearly two-week stay following planned surgery. She hadn't been seen publicly since Christmas Day.

Kate underwent surgery Jan. 16 and her condition and the reason for the operation have not been revealed, though Kensington Palace said it was not cancer-related.

Although the palace initially said that it would only provide significant updates and that she would not return to royal duties before Easter - March 31 this year - it followed up with a statement last month saying she was doing well.

At the time, royal aides told The Sun newspaper: 'We've seen the madness of social media and that is not going to change our strategy. There has been much on social media but the princess has a right to privacy and asks the public to respect that.'

Further questions were raised last week when the British military seemed to jump the gun in announcing Kate would attend a Trooping the Colour ceremony in June, apparently without consulting palace officials.

It's up to palace officials, not government departments, to announce the royals' attendance at events. Kensington Palace didn't confirm any scheduled public events for Kate, and the army later removed reference to her attendance.

Queen Camilla and Prince William share a giggle as they lead the royals at Westminster Abbey

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him. She has not attended the Commonwealth Day service 

Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal watch a dance performance during the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in London

Prince William leaves Westminster Abbey following this afternoon's service 

William chats to choirboys who were taking part in the high-profile event 

Prince William was all smiles at the Commonwealth Day service today as he made his first public appearance since his wife admitted to 'editing' the picture. 

The prince, who was spotted with Kate in his car while in London, arrived at Westminster Abbey alone before Queen Camilla, and was greeted by the Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, shaking his hands with the senior cleric. 

William was introduced to the Abbey's Chapter, or governing body, shaking their hands as he made his way along the line of clergy.

Missing was the King, who continues to receive treatment for cancer, but in his annual address to the family of nations, he pledged to continue to serve the Commonwealth 'to the best of my ability'.

Since his cancer diagnosis was announced on February 5, Charles has postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers and holding some in-person meetings.