Kate Middleton apologizes for 'confusion' around edited family photo

Princess Kate Middleton is apologizing Monday after admitting that an image of her and her children shared yesterday on official palace social media accounts to celebrate Mother's Day in the United Kingdom was edited.

 "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," she wrote on X. "I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day."

The image showed Middleton with her children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. As of Monday morning, it remains up on the The Prince and Princess of Wales X account.

"Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day," the caption read, signed with a "C" for Catherine, Princess of Wales.

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The Associated Press withdrew an image of Kate Middleton and her children; Kate later apologized. (Associated Press)

The Associated Press and other news agencies began pulling the image from their websites over concerns that it was "manipulated."

"AP initially published the photo, which was issued by Kensington Palace. But AP later retracted the image because at closer inspection, it appeared 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," the news agency said.

Kate Middleton is scheduled to appear at Trooping the Colour ceremony in June. (Chris Jackson)

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A close study of the image revealed inconsistencies that suggested it had been altered. For instance, in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s left hand with the sleeve of her sweater. Some viewers on social media also pointed out blurriness around the royal's hair, zipper, as well as Prince Louis' hand. Kensington Palace declined to comment.

According to AP, their "editorial standards state that images must be accurate. AP does not use altered or digitally manipulated images.

AP’s news values and principles explain that minor photo editing, including cropping and toning and color adjustments, are acceptable when necessary for clear and accurate reproduction and should maintain the authentic nature of the photograph.

Changes in density, contrast, color and saturation levels that substantially alter the original scene are not acceptable. Backgrounds should not be digitally blurred or eliminated by burning down or by aggressive toning. The removal of "red eye" from photographs is not permissible."

When AP determined the photo appeared to have been manipulated, it issued what is known as a "photo kill," an industry term that retracted the image and instructed clients to remove the photo from their systems.

Middleton also has been accused of Photoshop mishaps with her family's 2023 Christmas card, which also featured her children and Prince William. In that image, Louis appears to be missing a finger.

Kate Middleton is pictured after her hospitalization in January. (Backgrid)

Middleton has largely remained out of the public eye since December, and is recovering from abdominal surgery in January. On Jan. 17, the palace first announced Middleton had been hospitalized.

Middleton also was accused of a Photoshop mishap in December. (Getty Images)

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"Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery," a statement said.

Fox News' Janelle Ash, Elizabeth Stanton, Tracy Wright and Caroline Thayer contributed to this report.