Outrage after doctored image of ‘bruised’ Kate Middleton used in domestic violence campaign

Angela Merkel and Michelle Obama have also been used in the campaign.

An edited image of Kate Middleton has been used as part of a domestic violence campaign in Milan and Spain, sparking anger. The picture shows the Duchess of Cambridge with deep purple bruising under eyes and several scars on her face, and has been used on posters plastered across bus stops and buildings in Milan and Spain. According to the Sun, Kensington Palace was not approached over the use of the Duchess' image. The posters are part of a controversial campaign to increase awareness of domestic abuse, in which a number of famous women - including Angela Merkel and Michelle Obama - have had their faces edited by Italian artist Alexsandro Palombo. Red and white font over each of the images reads: "She reported him. "But nobody believed her - but she was left alone. "But she was not protected - but he was not stopped." A bold red bar at the bottom adds: "But she was killed anyway." US Vice President Kamala Harris, Queen Letizia of Spain and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen have also had their pictures used in the campaign. AleXsandro Palombo said he wants the images to "draw attention to the poor responses from politics regarding the problem of gender-based violence" and highlight the "ineffectiveness of the support and protection system to the victims". Writing alongside the images on Instagram, he said: "Why should a woman report the violence if after the report she is not protected by the institutions and ends up being killed anyway? "How can a woman victim of abuse and violence still have faith in the institutions?" https://www.instagram.com/p/CWskBjvsP-A/?hl=en But the images sparked anger from some. One wrote: "How about asking the families of women who have actually suffered from domestic abuse if you can post their pictures. This is ridiculous." Another commented: "YOU ARE NOT FUNNY. DON'T USE IMAGES OF WOMEN WHO DIDN'T GIVE YOU THEIR AUTHORIZATION." A third said: "Seems like somebody lacks respect." Related links:

• GMB fans shocked over Richard Madeley’s ‘inappropriate’ Kate Middleton comment
• Prince William, father of three, worries about African population growth
• Queen, Charles and William unite in BBC boycott threat over new Royals doc