News Agencies Withdraws Post-Surgery Image of UK's Princess Kate Over Manipulation

Several leading news organisations have withdrawn a photograph issued by Kensington Palace of Kate, UK’s Princess of Wales, after post-publication analysis showed it did not meet their editorial standards.

The palace issued the photograph of Kate and her three children on Sunday, along with a message of thanks from the princess in her first public comments since undergoing abdominal surgery in January. The 42-year-old princess, whose husband Prince William is heir to the British throne, has been recovering mainly at their home in Windsor, west of London, since leaving hospital on January 29.

The photo released by Kensington Palace to mark Mother’s Day in Britain shows the smiling Princess of Wales sitting on a garden chair, dressed in jeans, a sweater and a dark jacket, surrounded by her three laughing children, George, Charlotte and Louis. “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months,” read a message accompanying the photo on the social media platform X. “Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day,” said the message, which was signed “C” for Catherine.