A second photograph of members of the royal family has been flagged by a global picture agency after it was discovered to have been “digitally enhanced at source”.

Earlier this month, five international picture agencies that initially distributed an image of the Princess of Wales to mark Mother’s Day issued so-called “kill” notices to withdraw it, sparking a huge wave of commentary, speculation and even conspiracy theories.

On Wednesday, Getty Images had annotated a second photo, taken at Balmoral in August 2022 and released by Buckingham Palace on 21 April last year to mark what would have been the late queen’s 97th birthday, with guidance over its authenticity. It shows Elizabeth surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A spokesperson for Getty said: “Getty Images has reviewed the image in question and placed an editor’s note on it, stating that the image has been digitally enhanced at source.”

Among the discrepancies, some of which were flagged by the Observer on Sunday, are a vertical line where the tartan of the late queen’s skirt does not match, a dark shadow behind Prince Louis’ ear and a similar small black patch behind Prince George’s shirt collar.

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The photo of Catherine and her three children, taken by the Prince of Wales and the first of the princess to be released since she underwent abdominal surgery in January, caused widespread speculation on social media.

After the picture agencies in effect withdrew the image, the princess released a brief, personal statement saying: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”

Released at a time when conspiracy theories over her illness and absence had flooded social media, the image was meant to reassure the public of her recovery but backfired spectacularly, fuelling claims it could have been faked.

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Such is the level of interest in the princess’s health that on Tuesday the Sun ran on its front page a grainy image of Catherine and William in Windsor under the headline “Great to see you again Kate”, adding in its report that the princess looked “happy and relaxed”.

The image of Queen Elizabeth II and her family was taken weeks before she died. Her grandchildren Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, the children of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are standing at the back. In front of them are Lena Tindall, the daughter of Mike and Zara Tindall; Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the two elder children of the Prince and Princess of Wales; Isla Phillips, the daughter of Peter Phillips; and Prince Louis, the youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

To the monarch’s right is Mia Tindall, holding baby Lucas Tindall, and to her left is Savannah Phillips.

Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.

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