Catherine, Princess of Wales owns up to photoshopped image

Catherine, Princess of Wales is taking responsibility for a photoshopped image media outlets pulled from their publications Sunday.

“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing,” the 42-year-old royal, née Kate Middleton, wrote on social media Monday. “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.” (Mother’s Day is celebrated in March in the U.K.)

The image in question showed Kate surrounded by her children, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The latter’s odd-looking left hand caused scrutiny within news agencies that published the photo. It was the first official picture of Middleton shared by Kensington Palace since the wife of Prince William underwent abdominal surgery in January.

“At closer inspections,” the Associated Press (AP) issued a “kill order” on running Middleton’s photo. Other news agencies followed the AP’s lead by striking the image from its platforms. The palace didn’t immediately comment on the image.

The controversy surrounding the photo only fueled online conspiracy theories about Middleton’s well-being.

“ It’s not real,” one X poster wrote Sunday. “Something is going on.”

Others were glad to see the princess and her children appearing happy and healthy.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” Middleton captioned the photo posted to Instagram Sunday. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.”

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