Kate Middleton releases statement admitting she edited Mother's Day photo

Kate Middleton has released a statement on the official Prince and Princess of Wales account on X to address the controversy surrounding a recent photograph released of the Royal.

The Princess of Wales has been absent from Royal duties and the public for several weeks, leading to the creation of many conspiracy theories regarding her whereabouts.

After a photograph of Kate and her three children was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales' X account to put to bed the rumours, controversy grew over the alleged editing.

People have analysed the photo in great depth, spotting every odd or weird detail and highlighting it on social media for others to see.

The photo stopped being distributed by international agencies shortly after it was posted, prompting more people to do some digging on the 'manipulated' photo.

And it's not just members of the public commenting on the matter, as heruncle revealed his thoughts on Good Morning Britain, saying: "The smiles and faces said it all for me, I thought it was beautiful.

"Obviously the family wouldn't be the ones to do any touch ups, so if that's gone through some filter before it's gone out to the broader world then they would be shocked in themselves.

"But all I was looking at was the faces, the smiles, and all that it looked like the beautiful family that they are. And it looked really genuine with the smiles on faces," he concluded.

Addressing the photograph today (March 11), Kate wrote: "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"

Representatives for Kate have said they will only be providing 'significant updates' on her condition following her abdominal surgery in January.

According to Page Six, representatives for the Princess of Wales issued a statement saying she was 'doing well'.

They said: "Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess’ recovery and we’d only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands."

Her husband Prince William returned to royal duties on 29 February after withdrawing from a memorial service for his godfather two days prior for 'personal reasons'.

The Princess has been scheduled to return to royal duties at The Trooping of the Colour in June.

According to the NHS, in the aftermath of abdominal surgery it takes between two and three months before the patient feels comfortable moving around again, though recovery would be quicker in the event of keyhole surgery.

Both the Princess of Wales and King Charles were discharged on the same day, and while the exact condition Kate had surgery for has not been disclosed as she wished her personal medical information to remain private, it is not cancer-related.

For now it's going to be a case of waiting for an official statement and seeing her in public once again.