Tory Minister says photos should be 'honest' amid Kate Middleton fakery row

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The image of the Princess of Wales and her children was published on Mother
The image of the Princess of Wales and her children was published on Mother's Day (Image: PA)

A Tory minister has said photos should be “honest” and “accurate” amid a row over an image published of the Princess of Wales and her children.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said it was not unusual for people to “slightly improve” family photos on Mother's Day. But he suggested it was important that pictures are not misleading.

His comments came after the world's biggest photo agencies pulled a photo released by the Royal Family of Kate, 42, and her children over concerns it had been manipulated. Kensington Palace has been facing questions over whether the first image of the Princess after her abdominal surgery had been digitally altered.

Asked about the row as he appeared on Times Radio, Mr Tugendhat said: “You wouldn't expect me to comment on any photos, particularly not on Mother's Day, when I think many of us were snapping away and slightly improving photographs that we took of our mothers, but mostly of our kids who were sort of wriggling around.

Tory Minister says photos should be 'honest' amid Kate Middleton fakery row qhiqqxihiheinvSecurity Minister Tom Tugendhat said it was important to record situations accurately (PA Wire)

"So I'm not going to be judging on that. But I think it is important that we record what we put out is honest and that we record situations accurately. So I'm sure that like any family, there's a few moments that you could get better."

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Kensington Palace has not yet commented on the concerns raised about the picture. But the silence from the palace following the confusion will likely fuel online rumours and conspiracy theories about the health of the Princess.

The picture shows a smiling Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind. Kate thanked the public "for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months" as she recovered from her surgery. But eagle-eyed social media users speculated that edits had been made to the image, including the left sleeve of Princess Charlotte's cardigan, the positioning of Prince Louis' hand and Kate's missing wedding band.

The photo is the first released since she was admitted to the London Clinic for a planned operation on January 16. The King also underwent treatment at the private hospital for an enlarged prostate.

Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-law's bedside after being admitted himself on January 26, the 11th day of Kate's stay. She was also visited by her husband, William.

Kate left the hospital on January 29, almost two weeks later, and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. Details of her condition have not been disclosed . Kensington Palace previously said it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and William, 41, temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children as she recovered. She was last pictured on a Christmas Day walk at Sandringham. The Prince of Wales returned to royal duties in February and is expected to carry out an engagement linked to his Earthshot environmental prize on Monday, as well as accompanying the Queen at events to mark Commonwealth Day.

John Stevens

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