Kate Middleton defended after photo of her holding hands with Prince William sparks conspiracy theory

The Prince and Princess of Wales' relationship has been called into question by a handful of critics this week, who seem to have come up with a pretty controversial conspiracy theory.

And as such, a horde of Royal Family fanatics have rushed to the couple's defence.

For those out of the loop, Prince William and Kate Middleton have spent the last three days hosting the French President, Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte for a state visit to the UK.

The couple met the politician at RAF Northolt on Tuesday (8 July), before whisking the Macrons off to a formal meet-up with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Several snaps from the high-profile get-together have since been trending online, including one that shows Kate, 43, holding the tip of husband's hand with a rather pained expression splashed across her face.

The picture of Prince William and Kate Middleton got fans talking (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

A group of eagle-eyed conspiracy theorists have taken the photo and ran, claiming it should be used as evidence for the fact that the mother-of-three isn't too fond of William, 41, behind the scenes, and definitely doesn't want him touching her.

"This looks like these two are forced to be together, no chemistry at all," one Reddit user hit out. "I have seen husband and wives in hospitals showing more feeling toward each other than these two.

"Maybe other photos are betters even the hand holding doesn’t seem genuine. That is my opinion."

Another added of the pair: "Doesn’t look romantic as she has a face on her!"

"They look miserable," a third claimed, whilst another went on to write: "Bout as natural as fabric from the '70s."

A number of critics even compared the Princess to the US' First Lady, Melania Trump, who is also said to secretly despise her husband by conspiracy theorists, having been filmed and photographed a number of times seemingly scoffing at Donald.

A similar theory has also been applied to Melania and Donald Trump (ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

The mother-of-one has also been recorded batting the president's hand away during public appearances, alluding to unspoken tensions according to some.

Melania was even seen allowing Donald to hold only the tip of her right thumb when the couple attended a theatre performance in Washington, D.C., last month.

Sharing a hilarious GIF of Melania, 55, rolling her eyes at her 79-year-old other-half, and comparing the couple to the Wales, another joked: "She hates him so much that it’s hilarious!"

The theory about the Wales' marriage has been prompted mass backlash, however, with a number of royal fans pointing out that the purpose of the couple's hand-holding was for William to help her walk down the stairs in her mightily high footwear.

Kate appeared to be holding the tip of William's hand (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Pointing out that the moment wasn't 'supposed' to be seen as romantic, one wrote online: "They’re not walking holding hands, he’s helping her down steps in her narrow high heels."

Another agreed, pointing out that the couple could be seen in different photos minutes later happily holding onto one another.

"Yep was just about to say in the full photo he's helping her down the stairs," they wrote.

The Wales could be seen hugging one another minutes later (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

A third jibed of Kate: "It's like at a beauty pageant when all the contestants have to smile and maintain eye contact with the judges and crowd while trying to navigate a bajillion steps."

Another hit back, claiming there's nothing to discuss and adding of the couple: "Yes, looks like they're enjoying it. Very natural."