Photo agencies issue removal notice on first photo released of Kate, Princess of Wales, since abdominal surgery

After Kensington Palace on Sunday released the first photo of Kate, Princess of Wales, since she had unspecified abdominal surgery in January, multiple photo agencies are putting out notices not to use the photo, with one noting "the source" may have "manipulated" the image.

The Associated Press, Reuters, Getty Images and Agence France-Presse have all issued "kill notices" on the photo for similar reasons, according to messages on their imaging websites and email notifications from some of the agencies. 

A "kill notice" is an advisory to remove or not use a photo.

Kensington Palace did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Since the photo was released early Sunday morning, sleuths on X have questioned its authenticity, pointing to what appear to be wonky-looking body parts and blurred edges that don’t appear to be real. 

“It appears that the source has manipulated the image,” the AP said in its notification. 

“The Associated Press initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace,” the agency said in a statement. “The AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP’s photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand.”

AFP cited an “editorial issue” with the photo in the notice on its site, while Getty Images said, “For editorial reasons, please remove the following image(s) from your system and do not use in any manner.” 

In a statement, Getty Images said its picture desk "identified a problematic image" provided by the palace and removed it from its site "in accordance with our editorial policy."

Reuters noted that the photo “has been withdrawn following a post publication review.” 

image had been altered," but added that the agency, "could not immediately establish how, why or by whom the alteration had been made."

U.K. wire agency PA said it "had not killed the picture on its service," but that it was asking Kensington Palace for "urgent clarification" on the manipulation concerns raised by other agencies.

Reuters and AFP did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Kensington Palace posted the photo on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ X account and said in an statement it was taken in Windsor last week. It remained on the social media sites Sunday evening.

The photo, which the palace said was taken by Prince William, shows Kate smiling while posing with their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

“Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” the photo caption said. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.” Mother’s Day is on Sunday in the United Kingdom.

The message was signed off by a “C.”

Kate, 42, was hospitalized for almost two weeks in January to undergo abdominal surgery for unspecified reasons, and Kensington Palace said she would step back from official royal duties entirely until at least after Easter. The lack of explanation for her surgery and subsequent long recovery have led to widespread speculation and a slew of online conspiracy theories.

Many began circulating images of when Kate reportedly was last photographed by British tabloids, on Christmas Day.

Royal enthusiasts noticed last week that the army website was advertising Kate’s involvement in Trooping the Colour, a traditional military parade, in London on June 8. But the reference on the British army’s website has since been deleted.

Britain’s Defense Ministry referred questions about the ad’s removal to Kensington Palace. The palace declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Kate late last month reiterated that she is “doing well.”

“Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.”