Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark throw a family lunch for his aunt Princess Benedikte's 80th birthday - after being accused of photoshopping their first official royal portrait

Queen Mary and King Frederik posed for a snap with Princess Benedikte on her 80th birthday at Frederick VIII's Palace, in Amalienborg, one day after being accused of photoshopping their first official royal portrait.

The Danish royals shared the family portrait on their official Instagram page on Tuesday, which featured Queen Margrethe, 84, beside her two younger sisters Princess Benedikte, 80, and Queen Anne Marie of Greece, 77.

Mary, 52, and Frederik, 55, had invited Benedikte and family to a birthday lunch in Frederick VIII's Palace, where she was born and raised.

However the palace is today the residence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Denmark- who took over the throne in January.

Benedikte, who sat in between her two sisters, looked picture perfect in a cream blazer and pale pink skirt.  

Queen Mary and King Frederik posed for a snap with Princess Benedikte on her 80th birthday at Frederick VIII's Palace, in Amalienborg (pictured: Front row L-R Queen Anne Marie of Greece, Princess Benedikte, 80, Queen Margrethe , 84, back row L-R, Gustav Heinrich Richard, 14, Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, 49, Countess Ingrid von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth, King Frederik, Queen Mary, Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, 59, Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, 53, and Count Richard von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth)

Benedikte's daughter Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, 53, looked chic in a cream ensemble.

Alexandra stood next to her son Count Richard von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth, who donned a smart navy suit and her husband Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, 59.

Meanwhile Princess Alexandra's daughter Countess Ingrid von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth looked stylish in a pink floral gown. 

Elsewhere in the snap Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, 49, who is the third child and youngest daughter of Princess Benedikte, donned a colourful skirt which she paired with a cream long sleeved top. 

She stood next to her son Gustav Heinrich Richard, 14, who is Princess Mary of Denmark's godson and Princess Benedikte grandchild.  

The wholesome family snap comes one day after royal watchers accused Queen Mary and King Frederik of photoshopping their first official royal portrait weeks after their British counterparts were slammed for putting out a 'fake' Mother's Day picture.

The royal couple's official picture was released last week and featured the Australian-born queen standing alongside the king.

Eagle-eyed fans claimed that: 1. The image of Queen Mary was a separate portrait. 2. Her hand placement over King Frederik's proved this. 3. Frederik looked like he'd 'rolled out of bed', while his wife looked regal

Queen Mary of Denmark donned the Danish palace's emerald set for the first time in her debut royal portrait as Queen consort. The set is only ever worn by the queen

Queen Mary wore a deep green velvet and lace gown along with the crown's 'most complete' heirloom jewel set featuring matching emeralds. 

Many praised the photo's 'beauty' but also questioned whether it had been manipulated, with some claiming the couple 'obviously' took their single portraits and had photoshopped them together.

'Beautiful photo, but another digitally enhanced royal photo,' one woman commented on the picture - receiving multiple 'likes'.

'Was this photoshopped? I mean it looks like they were photographed separately then put together? Mary looks exquisite and Frederik, well the king looks like he just rolled out of bed,' wrote one woman.

'Terrible translation. So stiff and awkward. AI,' another questioned. Others pointed out the placement of Queen Mary's hand in front of King Frederik's, claiming it looks out of place.

'It looks like Queen Mary has been put into the photo of Fred. The hand position is identical,' said one fan.

The palace has confirmed the picture is real and says 'the Royal House's official gala portrait has not been manipulated'.

This photograph released for the twins' 13th birthday pictures Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine standing together - but people don't think it is legit  

Many claimed any photoshopping would make sense given the recent affair rumours which circulated after the then prince was spotted hanging out with friend and socialite Genoveva Casanova in Spain last year.

'She has so much tension! and are they even together in the room, looks like a montage,' said another.

'Why did he cheat I am so angry at him,' said another. 'Oh she looks beautiful, but so tense! Something's not right,' assumed another. 

Others continued to talk about the couple's alleged indifference without commenting on whether the photo could have been fabricated.

'That's one chilly looking Mary. I don't think she's all that wild about having to stand that close to Freddy!'

The palace has told Daily Mail they don't comment on rumours when asked about the alleged affair.

It isn't the first time that royal watchers have questioned a photo put out by the Danish palace.

On January 8 they produced a picture of Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine for their 13th birthday.

But the family's fans claimed the children were posing exactly as they had in a group photo which looked to be taken on the same day.

This lead to people questioning whether the twins had been edited together for the birthday tribute.

People have become less trusting of royal photos following the disastrous Mother's Day picture release of Kate Middleton and her children on behalf of Kensington Palace.

16 'errors' were found in the portrait which became the first official portrait of the royal house to be recalled by picture agencies.

Royal aides claimed the image of the Princess of Wales and children, was taken by Prince William.

Princess Charlotte's hand to Kate's zip, Prince Louis's jumper and Prince George's arm were all glaringly 'wrong' in the picture.

Other issues relate to Charlotte's skirt and knee, Louis's jumper and hand, Kate's hair and George's sleeve – as well as the ledge and step in the background.