Star magazine in US appears to have Photoshopped a baby bump onto the Duchess of Cambridge’s slender frame.

Star magazine, which claims to reveal that Kate is pregnant with twins, published an image of the British royal from her recent visit to Singapore on the cover of its latest issue.

Kate Middleton, 30, is seen standing in what is quite a typical pose, with her shoulders back and hips forward, with her arm resting across her midriff, as she toasts Mary Tan, the wife of President of Singapore.

However, the gossip site Celebuzz suggests that Star magazine has taken the liberty of retouching the photograph, to make it appear as though the Duchess’s stomach is larger than it is.

Star magazine in US appears to have Photoshopped a baby bump onto the Duchess of Cambridge's slender frame

On comparison with what it believes to be the original photograph, the site says there are several glaring clues indicating that it has been airbrushed to suit the title’s headlines.

It reads: “Not only has is her floral slim-fit frock been mysteriously blown out…”

Star magazine accompanied the image with a sensational coverline of: “Scandal turns to joy: It’s twins!”

Two bullet points beneath add: “Pregnant Kate gets thrilling news amid nude photo uproar… Up to 125lbs and showing.”

The inside story cites a “family friend”, “insider” and a “source”, who apparently told the title that the Royal couple conceived during a “passionate night” in Wales after the London Olympics.

It is Star‘s second cover in a row claiming to reveal that the Duchess is expecting. Just last week it suggested that stitching in the waistband of one of Kate’s dresses was proof that it had been let out to make space for “mommy weight”.

The headline sparked a furious response from singer Demi Lovato who took to Twitter to slam the publication.

She wrote: “So apparently Kate Middleton (William?) is pregnant because of THIS picture… Are you KIDDING ME?!!

“And people wonder why girls/guys have body image issues.. Whether she is or not, she still has a beautiful body. Shame on you Star magazine.”