The plot appears to have thickened regarding the perceived mystery swirling around Kate Middleton and her recovery from the “planned abdominal procedure” she underwent in January.

According to strange reports, a number of photo and news agencies – including the Associated Press and Getty Images – have pulled a photo of the Princess of Wales circulated by Kensington Palace on Sunday to celebrate Mother’s Day in the UK.

The reason? Well – and this is where it gets exceedingly weird given the circumstances – there’s strong reason to believe the photo may be a fake.

As per sources, multiple photo agencies have taken the bold step of pulling the photo in question, while AP are said to have handed down a kill notification to journalists and outlets the world over, stating that they have reason to believe the photo may have been manipulated.

Part of AP’s message read: “At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image. No replacement image will be sent. Please remove it from all platforms, including social, where it may still be visible.”

The picture in question shows Kate Middleton posing with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and at first glance there doesn’t seem to be anything outwardly awry.

However, once armed with the suspicion that not all is as it seems, a number of worrying details are reportedly evident, including an issue with Princess Charlotte’s sleeve cuff, as well as a the zipper on the lefthand side of Kate Middleton’s jacket.

Internet users (more specifically those on X) were able to find further flaws in the photo, suggesting that it was perhaps AI generated, despite the Palace’s insistence that it had been taken by Prince William.

The speculation will hardly be welcomed by the Royal Family, who have been busy trying to quell concerns over Kate Middleton’s health since her surgery in January.

The general lack of information as to the Princess’s condition has left a vacuum that has been exploited by conspiracy theorists adamant that the public is not being told the whole truth.

Kensington Palace released a statement at the time of Kate’s hospitalization insisting that she would remain out of action where royal engagements are concerned until after Easter, but the fact that the Princess had not been seen since Christmas (until a grainy photo was snapped last week) prompted unease in many quarters.

In the wake of alarming conjecture regarding the Princess of Wales’ whereabouts, the Palace were forced to last week reiterate their stance that Kate is recovering well, though this latest farce regarding the Mother’s Day picture will have done little to lend credence to their claim.

What do you think to the Mother’s Day picture being removed? Let us know in the comments.

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