Picture agency Getty:

Kate’s photo of the Queen has also been “digitally edited”

A photo of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taken by the Princess of Wales, has been "digitally altered", an international stock photo agency has revealed.

The picture, which was taken at Balmoral Castle in August 2022, was reviewed by Getty Images after Princess Kate admitted to editing a photo of herself and her three children for Mother's Day.

97th birthday photo
Buckingham Palace published the picture in April last year to mark the late Queen's 97th birthday. Prince William and Princess Kate also posted it on social media.

According to People magazine, a spokesperson for Getty Images explained: "Getty Images has reviewed the image in question and added an editorial note stating that the image has been digitally enhanced."

Inconsistencies
On closer inspection of the image, there appear to be several inconsistencies, including a vertical line where the late Queen's cloth skirt does not appear to be correctly pieced together.

A dark shadow can be seen behind Prince Louis' ear, and a similar small black spot can be seen behind Prince George's shirt collar. Signs of digital duplication can also be seen on Mia Tindall's hair.

Princess Kate, who is still recovering from a serious abdominal operation in January, apologized last week for the confusion surrounding a family photo she posted for Mother's Day. She admitted that she had reworked it after photo agencies had withdrawn the picture due to suspicions of manipulation. Instagram even marked the picture as a fake.