Picture of Princess Kate without wedding ring pulled by photography agencies amid tampering speculation

Photography agencies have sensationally pulled a family picture of the Princess of Wales posing with her children — and without a wedding ring — amid allegations of tampering.

The photograph, reportedly taken by Prince William, shows Princess Kate smiling with the couple’s three children for a Mother’s Day post on Instagram.

But royal watchers were quick to note that Kate was not wearing her wedding ring in the photograph.

Instagram followers quickly cottoned on, demanding to know where the Princess’s ring was.

Hours later, photography agencies such as Getty Images and Associated Press — who had distributed the picture to media organisations around the world — issued an urgent “kill notice” over the image.

The notice from Getty Images ordered the picture to be removed from editorial systems and not used “in any manner”.

Associated Press issued a notice ordering the original story to be taken down from news websites.

“The main image has been removed by Associated Press and other agencies because it appears to have been manipulated,” the statement said.

“This takedown is mandatory, and no further use can be made of the story.”

The sensational move comes amid increasing speculation online that the image, which is still on the royal couple’s Instagram page, was doctored.

Other aspects of the image that appear to support this theory include the positioning of Prince Louis’ hand as well as a section of the floor tiles appearing to be blurred.

One user on X, replying to a post from media commentator Piers Morgan, suggested the photograph had been composited from multiple images due to “fidgety kids” making a perfect shot impossible.

The controversy surrounds a troubling time for the royal family, with Kate admitted to hospital in January for abdominal surgery.

Around the same time, the palace revealed King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer after a prostate health check.

Prince William, who ordinarily would have stepped in to perform royal duties on his father’s behalf while the King recovered, announced he was taking a step back from public life temporarily.

It is believed the royal family released the image of Kate amid mounting concerns over the Princes of Wales’ health since her surgery.

But instead the frenzied speculation around the image has royal watchers talking for all the wrong reasons.