They noted inconsistencies with the alignment of Charlotte’s hand, her skirt and the positioning of Kate’s zip.

The Princess of Wales later admitted to editing the image and apologised “for any confusion”. She said: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.”

Less than two weeks later, Kate released a video message saying she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.

The future Queen, 42, told the world that she is having preventative chemotherapy after cancer was found in post-operative tests following her major abdominal surgery in January.

Veteran royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams believes the absence of a birthday image is due to the Mother’s Day photo scandal and a need for Kate to have “time, space and privacy”.

Royal fans will be disappointed that the Palace hasn’t released a new Louis photo

He told the Daily Express: “Royal fans will be disappointed by the lack of a photograph to mark Prince Louis’s birthday. It is something of a royal tradition that royal birthdays are celebrated by the release of photographs, Catherine has taken a great many and they are always eagerly awaited.

“This is a shame because of the vexed issue of her Mothering Day photograph. The revelation that it was edited led to a highly embarrassing contretemps and the subsequent revelation that she was not only recovering from abdominal surgery but bravely fighting cancer.

“The video message when she revealed this was probably the bravest by any public figure about their health in Britain.

“The lack of a photograph on this occasion simply emphasises her need for time, space and privacy which she expressed so movingly in the message and, after the misunderstandings of recent weeks, this should be universally understood.”

Louis, who has won the hearts of the nation with his cheeky antics at royal events, has seen every one of his birthdays marked with the release of a set of official portraits.

Weeks after he was born Kate snapped her third child at their home of Kensington Palace and followed the tradition with three snaps celebrating his first birthday a year later.

When he turned two during the first coronavirus lockdown, five adorable pictures of Louis with his hands covered in paint were released.

His third birthday snap showed him riding a bike in a photo taken ahead of his first day at nursery; while his fourth birthday was marked by pictures of him enjoying a day out at the beach in Norfolk.

Last year his birthday portraits showed Louis being pushed in a wheelchair by the Princess of Wales.

It marked a break from tradition as the picture was captured by photographer Millie Pilkington and not his mother.