ANOTHER WALES MARRIAGE ...ON THE LINE!

Kate and William are facing intense pressure to survive months of scandal

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It was meant to be a wholesome family photo of the Princess of Wales and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to mark Mother’s Day in the UK and to reassure the concerned public that Kate was recovering well after her abdominal surgery, as promised.

And it worked for a short time – until photo agencies around the world discovered that the picture, taken by Prince William at their home in Windsor and released by the palace, had been doctored. Since then, the family photo has only thrown more fuel on the fire surrounding Kate’s mysterious two-and-a-half-month absence from public life.

In addition to being one of the biggest royal PR gaffes in recent history, the photo scandal has also turned the spotlight undesirably onto speculation of possible trouble in Kate and William’s marriage, spurred on by her iconic sapphire and diamond engagement and wedding rings missing from the new snap.

‘BACKFIRED SPECTACULARLY’

“A picture that was supposed to send out a positive message about Kate’s health has backfired spectacularly,” royal author Phil Dampier tells Woman’s Day. “Th e internet was already awash with rumours about Catherine, now the rumour mill has been given rocket boosters with people saying the ‘fake photo’ shows the royals can’t be trusted to tell the truth.”