Here Are 16 Glaring Editing Errors On Kate Middleton's 'Mother's Day' Photo, According To Experts
Kate Middleton's doctored Mother's Day photo reportedly has nearly 20 potential editing issues.
On Monday, the Princess of Wales admitted to editing the portrait of her with her three children and apologized for "any confusion" it caused after major photo agencies like the Associated Press and Reuters withdrew the image over manipulation concerns.
Citing photo experts, the Daily Mail pointed out 16 editing errors in the picture, which showed Middleton posing with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, and was reportedly taken by Prince William last week.
Of these issues, five involved Princess Charlotte, including part of her sleeve being erased above her hand, her skirt jutting out in an unnatural angle around her waist, and her knee appearing blurred.
Princess Charlotte's hair also dipped oddly along the top of her head and cut off abruptly on her shoulder.
Three of the issues were related to Middleton's clothing, hands, and hair.
The zipper on the Princess of Wales' jacket looked off, while her right hand and hair on the right side looked blurred despite the clothing around them being unblurred.
According to the outlet, the edge of Prince George's blue sweater looked "artificial," while his sweater sleeve had "odd lines."
There were also three editing issues related to Prince Louis' clothing and hands, with the pattern of his sweater appearing "disrupted."
Prince Louis' right thumb also looked blurry, while one of his little fingers appeared to have been cut off.
Other editing issues in the photo included two distortions in the ledge near Prince Louis' hand and the step behind the young royal appearing warped.
According to the Daily Mail, most experts the outlet spoke to believe that the alterations made to the photo were done to improve it rather than "deceive."
Photographer Paul Clarke told the outlet that he believes Middleton did pose with her kids for a portrait but that the image was then edited to create the "perfect family photo."
Another photographer, Katie Mortimore, had a similar take but suggested that the photo may have been edited so that Middleton was embracing Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
"I personally am fairly confident the Princess of Wales was sat in the chair with her children but without her arms around them. To be fair, with recent major abdominal surgery, that sort of reach of both arms would likely be painful," Mortimore told the Daily Mail.
Welsh photographer Stephen Davies, who has 25 years of experience with Photoshop, also told the outlet that Middleton's right hand "looks like it has been inserted using AI" in the image.
"Kate merged a few photos together to get the perfect photo with all kids smiling and looking at the camera," he speculated. "Unfortunately, she missed a few gaps in the editing."
The photo debacle followed weeks of conspiracy theories and speculation regarding Middleton's health and whereabouts following her abdominal surgery in mid-January.
Last week, TMZ published photos it said shows Middleton being driven by her mother, Carole, near Windsor Castle on March 4.
However, many royal fans and social media users were unconvinced that the woman in the images was Middleton as she wore sunglasses, and the photos were grainy.
Following Middleton's apology for the Mother's Day photo, the Daily Mail published an image it said shows Middleton and Prince William inside a car leaving Windsor Castle.
However, Middleton was looking out the window in the snap, so her face is not visible.
People reported that Middleton was heading to a private appointment.
Kensington Palace announced in January that the Princess of Wales is not expected to return to public duties until Easter.