ROYAL FLAW Beaming Kate’s adorable Mother’s Day photo in editing fail as Charlotte’s arm is seen ‘detached’ from sleeve

Kate released a message to royal fans this morning.

Mum-of-three Kate posed with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for the sweet Instagram snap. But eight-year-old Charlotte’s hand appears to not line up with her red jumper sleeve in the picture, which Kate shared on Sunday morning. Posting on Twitter, one tickled fan said: “The wrist of the jumper wasn’t copied over properly from another picture!” The four large news agencies – AP, Getty Images, Reuters, AFP – all withdrew the pic over fears it had been ‘edited at source’.

Fans questioned why Kate wasn’t wearing her wedding ring and noticed that her other hand was blurry. Others said Charlotte’s cardigan sleeve seemed to disappear and her skirt was fuzzy. Fans also claimed there appeared to be an odd cut in the skirting board. In a color corrected and lightened version of the image, Kate’s zip appears not to line up.

Meanwhile, some fans reckoned the color of the tree’s leaves are wrong for this time of year. The original X post now has a warning on it that reads: “Major news agencies, including the Associated Press, Getty Images, and Reuters, note inconsistencies that suggest digital alteration by Kensington Palace.” The heartfelt photograph marks the first time the princess has spoken out publicly since her surgery.

It is also the first picture shared of the royal since she underwent her “planned” major abdominal op in January. Devoted husband Prince William, who has been taking a step back from royal duties to care for his wife, captured the sweet moment at Windsor, earlier this week. Kate captioned the unseen snap: “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C”

The Sun’s Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards has blasted the “spoiling” of the photograph by editing. He said: “To me it wasn’t about the sleeve, it’s about the fact that Catherine looked so good and the smiles on the children. “It’s just a lovely family photograph. I’d have been proud to take that photograph and I’m sorry it’s been spoiled by this stupid photo editing. It’s not even been done properly. “My view is the agencies in the US are so fussy we can’t even take the red eye out, we mustn’t touch it.

“Their rules are their rules. I’m so pleased the picture is still being run because it shows Catherine looks so well.” Kensington Palace is now under pressure to respond to the accusations, with one royal expert saying people will now be questioning them. Royal commentator Peter Hunt said: “This is damaging for the royals. They knew there would be intense interest in any picture they released of Kate. “Their challenge is that people will now question whether they can be trusted and believed when they next issue a health update.” international picture agencies Reuters, AP, Getty and AFP issued “mandatory kill” warnings for the family photo.

It is standard practice for picture agencies to withdraw edited images. In its “kill notice”, AP said: “At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image.” Security Minister Tom Tugendhat was quizzed on the photo this morning and said he thought it was “important that we record what we put out is honest and that we record situations accurately”.

He told Times Radio: “You wouldn’t expect me to comment on any photos, particularly not on Mother’s Day, when I think many of us were snapping away and slightly improving photographs that we took of our mothers, but mostly of our kids who were sort of wriggling around. So I’m not going to be judging on that. “But I think it is important that we record what we put out is honest and that we record situations accurately. So I’m sure that like any family, there’s a few moments that you could get better.”

Asked if his department would release a photo that had been doctored, he said: “We’re always very careful about what we put out. But you’re luring me down a path here. “I’m not going down there because it’s a family photo and it’s Mother’s Day.” It comes as rumors about Kate’s health were sparked after William missed a memorial service last week. He had been expected to perform a reading, but pulled out due to a “personal matter”.

Kate had only been spotted once since her surgery, in the passenger seat of a black Audi as mum Carole, 69, drove her near Windsor Castle. She was wearing sunglasses and appeared to be smiling slightly. It followed her “planned major abdominal surgery” in January at the London clinic. The central London private hospital also treated The King while he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate. Kensington Palace said previously Kate was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.

The statement read: “The Princess of Wales wishes to apologize to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. “She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.” Kate’s uncle Gary Goldsmith has also spoken about her recovery on Celebrity Big Brother. He said: “I spoke to her mum, my sister, she’s getting the best care in the world.

“And all the family’s done is put the wagons round and look after family first before anything else. “They put a statement out and just said, ‘She’s taking some time to (recuperate) and will see you in Easter’.” If the princess recuperates according to plans, her first engagement back could be at the family service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, on Easter Sunday, March 31. It comes after confusion over whether the royal would be making an appearance while reviewing a dress rehearsal at Horse Guards Parade for the Trooping of the Color on June 8. This would be her first big public event since she underwent surgery.