Prince Archie’s christening photograph taken almost five years ago is the latest official royal picture to go under the microscope over claims that it too has been altered. The snap, taken by fashion photographer Chris Allerton, was released on July 6, 2019.

It features two-month-old Archie, parents the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plus King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, Camilla, Prince William and Kate, Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, plus Princess Diana’s sisters.

Last night Mr Allerton vehemently denied having manipulated the picture, curtly telling the Daily Mail: “Load of cobblers. Bye.”

He subsequently stressed that his picture had only required "the very minimal tuning" to its tone and exposure, with him having prepared his camera and lighting settings in advance, leaving him free to capture “a relaxed and pleasing moment, quickly and efficiently for them”.

Mr Allerton added: “I have contacted the Getty Editorial Team to request clarification.”

The Princess of Wales triggered a media frenzy after admitting she “occasionally experiments” with editing photographs, after several news agencies issued a “kill” notice withdrawing her snap, issued to mark Mother’s Day, from use.

Another portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren – taken by Kate at Balmoral in August 2022 – is likewise the subject of an ‘editor’s note’ by Getty.

This states: "Image has been digitally enhanced at source."

Kate's portrait of the former monarch, which features Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, and James, Earl of Wessex, plus her eight great-grandchildren - Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips, Prince Louis, Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall and Savannah Phillips – was released on April 21, 2023, marking what would have been the Queen’s 97th birthday.

On close inspection, the sofa seems to have been spliced together, while there is also a vertical line where the tartan of the Queen’s skirt is misaligned.

There are also black patches behind Prince George and Prince Louis and Mia's hair shows signs of 'digital repetition', along with Charlotte's dress.

A Getty spokesman said: ”Getty Images is undertaking a review of handout images and in accordance with its editorial policy is placing an editor's note on images where the source has suggested they could be digitally enhanced.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been contacted via Archewell.