So some internet sleuths have figured out it was likely taken before Xmas before\after an charity event- everyone in same clothes (minus some color manipulation), same shoes, etc.
The idea that Kate edited the photo herself (and took out her wedding ring) is laughable and if she did it would be simple to say here is the unedited version... but nope.
I have a hard time picturing fitted jeans post an abdominal surgery so intense it required a two week hospital stay and its clear the picture isn't recent...
Which there might be plenty of good reasons for some of which might be she has been judged for so long that she doesn't want any photos until she looks her best... but still nothing about that photo rings correct.
That is interesting. I wonder why they would try to pass off an old photo as recent, why can't they just come out and say that she is still recuperating and needs time to rest. They should have know someone would connect the dots and speculate that it is an older photo from a charity event. Their mistake was saying it was a recent photo (if it is indeed from before Xmas.)