These are the 19 “mistakes” in the manipulated photography of the British royal family around Queen Elizabeth II (one by one, with images)

London (CNN) – There is yet another official photograph of Kate Middleton that has been digitally manipulated, according to the analysis of a reputable photographic agency, in a case that gives rise to a second controversy over the manipulation of images of the royal family, shortly after the Princess of Wales was seen in public for the first time in months.

Getty Images claims that the photograph of Queen Elizabeth with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taken by Kate and released by Kensington Palace last year, was “digitally enhanced”, and a CNN analysis found signs of alteration in 19 places.

CNN’s analysis found signs of alteration in many of the image’s 19 locations, with the controversy following a similar saga over a Mother’s Day photo of Kate and her children, said to have been taken by Prince William, and which was also retouched. To try to calm the uproar that followed the first edited photograph, Kate apologized and stated last Monday that she liked to “experiment” with editing images.

Newly discovered inconsistencies in a second royal photograph put Kate at the center of more questions and threaten to destroy the royal’s relationships with major news and photography agencies.

It is a controversy that the British will not welcome, at a time of intense scrutiny over the princess’s health and condition.

On Saturday, Prince William and Kate were seen and photographed at a farm produce store near their home, easing questions about their health.

The princess was also photographed earlier this month in her private car leaving Windsor Castle on her way to a private meeting on March 11, Kensington Palace previously confirmed to CNN.

Kate Middleton has not been seen in public since the palace said she had undergone abdominal surgery in January.

The most recent controversy centers on a photograph published in April 2023, which shows the Queen – who had died the previous September – surrounded by 10 of her young family members.

The palace said the photograph had been taken by Kate at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in the months before the Queen’s death, but corrections have led to confusion over whether the image was in fact collaged from several different photographs. .

Inconsistencies in the Balmoral photograph include a misalignment of the Queen’s skirt and blanket, as well as the sofa on which she is sitting. Princess Charlotte’s locks of hair appear to have been cloned, while the end of Prince Louis’ shoulder is blurred and appears to overlap the background. The lighting of several royals in the photograph also does not match the overall lighting of the image.

Getty said in an editor’s note that the image “was digitally enhanced at source.” CNN contacted the agency; Kensington Palace declined to comment when contacted on Tuesday.

In a statement to CNN, the company said it “is reviewing the images distributed and, in accordance with its editorial policy, is placing an editor’s note on images where the source suggested could have been digitally enhanced. “

In Kate’s brief apology about her Mother’s Day photo, the Princess of Wales did not explain why she altered her photographs, nor why Kensington Palace did not reveal her changes to photo agencies.

The reaction from Getty and others is more than a mere embarrassment to the royals.

The family, like countless governments and institutions around the world, depends on agencies to distribute their images to the media. But these companies have strict rules that allow only minimal editing; By secretly manipulating their photographs on various sites, the royals presented themselves as potential distributors of disinformation.

Getty, in particular, has long had a close relationship with Kensington Palace; has frequently been invited to perform royal photo shoots and has sponsored royal events.

Kate has been taking a break from her public duties as she recovers from her surgery, a prolonged absence that has given rise to a series of online conspiracy theories and questions about her health in the British media. Meanwhile, King Charles III has been taking on lighter duties after announcing his cancer diagnosis in February.

CNN’s Max Foster, Bernadette Tuazon, Sarah Tilotta and Lauren Kent contributed to this report