Royal enthusiasts have sparked a new wave of controversy surrounding the Mother's Day picture released by Kensington Palace.
Calls for the original image to be unveiled have intensified following an apology from the princess.
Initially intended to dispel wild social media rumors, the photo has instead fueled further speculation about the Princess of Wales and the origins of the Mother's Day snapshot.
Recent revelations indicate that a duplicate file of the image was stored in photo editing software on an Apple Mac.
The file was saved twice, first on Friday at 9:54 pm and then again on Saturday at 9:39 am.
Questions linger over whether these saves were made on the same device and by whom, although Catherine has acknowledged experimenting with editing.
Sky News data and Forensic Unit delved into the metadata, unveiling details within the file, although the actual alterations remain undisclosed.
In response to mounting scrutiny, the Princess of Wales issued an apology addressing the inconsistencies in the photo.
However, this explanation failed to appease certain individuals on social media who persisted in propagating outlandish theories regarding the original photo.
Notably, TikTok user Alan Anstin escalated the speculation to unprecedented levels by suggesting the photo was doctored from a past event in November 2023 involving Princess Catherine and the children at a baby bank, casting doubt on its recent authenticity.
Anomalies in the Mother's Day image, such as a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her skirt, fueled speculations about potential editing.
Despite discrepancies highlighted by critics, supporters of the conspiracy theory pointed to supposed inconsistencies in the background scenery as evidence of manipulation.
Amidst the fervor, concerns were raised about the trustworthiness of images released by the royal family, with public relations expert Mark Borkowski emphasizing the need for transparency to restore public faith.
As pressure mounted on Kensington Palace to address the controversy, the UK's national news agency sought urgent clarification regarding the image's authenticity.
However, a surprising turn of events unfolded when PA announced the withdrawal of the image due to lack of clarification.
Despite calls for the unedited version to be disclosed, Kensington Palace stood firm in its decision not to reissue the original photograph featuring Kate and her children.
In light of the ongoing saga surrounding the Mother's Day photo, the royal family faces a credibility crisis as doubts persist over the integrity of their public images.
The fervent debates and speculations circulating on social media underscore the challenges posed by the digital age in scrutinizing even the most seemingly innocuous snapshots.
As the saga unfolds, the royal household grapples with the repercussions of this tumultuous chapter, navigating a delicate balance between tradition and modern scrutiny in the public eye.
