PHOTO FLAGGED
Twitter warns users over Princess Kate photo ‘inconsistencies’ as ‘edits’ seen in pic with George, Charlotte and Louis
At least four hidden 'editing fails' were spotted
TWITTER has issued a warning to its users over Princess Kate's sweet Mother's Day photo after fans spotted "inconsistencies".
The heartfelt snap of Kate beaming with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, was shared on Sunday.
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While many were thrilled to see the Princess of Wales looking well following her abdominal surgery two months ago, at least four "editing fails" could be seen.
The image, which was put out by Kensington Palace, is claimed to have been digitally altered - with photo agencies forced to order a "kill notice" on the pic.
Four large news agencies - AP, Getty Images, Reuters, AFP - all withdrew the pic over fears it had been 'edited at source'.
Kate's photo 'editing' confusion comes as:
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- Princess Kate apologises for “confusion” caused by inconsistencies in family image
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- Kate’s uncle Gary Goldsmith gives his verdict on Mother’s Day picture as he speaks out after CBB eviction
- Photo agencies release ‘kill notice’ on Princess Kate’s Mother’s Day picture
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The PA news agency has since said it would be withdrawing the image from its picture service.
A spokesperson for the UK's national news agency said: "Like other news agencies, PA Media issued the handout image provided by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales and her children in good faith yesterday.
"We became aware of concerns about the image and we carried a report about it last night, and made clear that we were seeking urgent clarification about the image from Kensington Palace.
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"In the absence of that clarification, we are killing the image from our picture service."
Kate later apologised for the "confusion" and admitted she "experiments with editing".
She said: "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.
"I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.
"I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C."
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."
Context on tweets is added by people who use the app, say X.
The box will appear after notes are made multiple times by users who believe more information is needed to be known.
Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith gives his verdict on Mother's Day picture as he speaks out after CBB eviction
As the family photo was posted for the world to see, people couldn't help comment on odd "inconsistencies".
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 colour corrected and lightened version of the image, Kate's zip appears not to line up.
Meanwhile, others reckoned the colour of the tree's leaves are wrong for this time of year.
Why were 'kill notices' issued?
News agencies ordered a "kill notice" on the picture late Sunday night.
The removal orders were sent after "manipulation" on the image was discovered.
AP's order said the reason for killing the story was: "At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image."
The order then directs those who have used the photo to remove it from all platforms, including social.
Agence France-Press ordered the "mandatory kill" due to an "editorial issue" and directed that the image may no longer be used.
Reuters said the photo “has been withdrawn following a post publication review.”
Getty Images said: “For editorial reasons, please remove the following image(s) from your system and do not use in any manner.”
Getty said its picture desk "identified a problematic image" provided by the palace and removed it from its site "in accordance with our editorial policy."
Each of the news agencies have their own editorial guidelines which govern how they treat images.
AP says that pictures "must always tell the truth" and that it does not alter or manipulate the content of a photograph in any way.
Its guidelines say: "The content of a photograph must not be altered in PhotoShop or by any other means. No element should be digitally added to or subtracted from any photograph."
However, AP says minor adjustments are allowed, they include cropping, colour adjustments, and light adjustments.
Piers Morgan said this morning: "The Palace should release the unedited photo of Kate & the kids asap.
"If it’s just a small bit of harmless retouching gone wrong, nobody will care.
"If they don’t release the original pic, the conspiracy theories they were trying to kill, will get way worse.."
On Monday, Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith pleaded with the public to "leave it alone" as he appeared on Good Morning Britain.
Gary said: "The smiles on faces said it all for me, I thought it was beautiful.
"The family wouldn't be the ones to do any touch ups, so that's gone through some filter before it's gone out to the world.
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"But they probably took it themselves. All I was looking at was the faces and smiles, and they just looked like a beautiful family, and it looked genuine, just a smiling family.
"This whole sleeve gate thing, just leave it alone."
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