Kourtney Kardashian defends sister Kim after fans accused her of posting ‘shady’ bikini snap for birthday tribute – as she embraces her postpartum figure: ‘I LOVE this body’

Kim Kardashian took to Instagram on Thursday to celebrate her sister Kourtney’s 45th birthday with a bikini photo that divided fans.

The SKIMS mogul, 43, shared a photo of her with Kourtney and younger sister Khloe, 39, splashing in the ocean in matching black bikinis, taken during their recent getaway to Turks and Caicos.

The photo caused an uproar, with many claiming that Kim deliberately chose a photo in which she looked best, while many others praised Kourtney’s postpartum figure and called her the most “natural-looking” of the sisters.

Kourtney – who gave birth to son Rocky about five and a half months ago – didn’t seem to mind, posting a comment that read: ‘Now you know she won’t like this photo…lol it’s her birthday Kim . .. LOL.’

The mother of four wrote back: ‘Love this photo! Me and my sisters have the best time traveling with our kids… and the memories will last forever! And I love this body that gave me my three big babies and my little boy.”

Kim wrote a sweet caption for her sister under the photo, writing, “Happy Birthday Queen.”

“There is no one on this planet that I have spent more time with and have all the same memories of growing up with than you and I cherish them all.

She continued, “Sharing a room, friends, cars and our life together has been the most magical journey of having you by my side for forty years.”

‘I love you and I can’t wait another 45 years together! I will especially cherish this last sister trip, where all our kids had dance parties until they passed out, just like we all did growing up!”

“I celebrate you today and am forever grateful for always giving the best advice a sister could give!”

Kourtney – who once called Kim a “witch” – was touched by the tribute, writing: “This caption [heart emoji] I love you sooooo much and am so grateful for all the incredible memories we have together…when I think about them it’s like a movie is playing in my head of them all! So blessed!’

Her husband Travis Barker, 48, also left a heart emoji on the post.

After Kim paid her tribute, a number of fan comments poured in, questioning the choice of the “shady” photo. “Well this was intentional,” one person wrote.

However, many others praised Kourtney for having the “most natural” looking body of all her sisters.

“Jokes about Kim because I actually think Kourtney looks the best here… most natural,” one fan wrote. “Looks like Kourtney is the only one with a REAL belly button,” someone else added.

“Find the tummy tuck X2 versus the au natural,” another commenter added.

The comments continued with one fan writing, “Kourt looks so fire postpartum!!!”

“I don’t know what you guys are talking about, Kourtney’s stomach looks the most natural of all.”

“I think Kourtney looks absolutely beautiful because she looks real!!”

“Kourtney’s mom body is [fire emojis].’

Another fan lashed out at Kim, who once said Kourtney was “the least interesting to watch,” writing, “Kourtney is the MOST interesting to watch! Pure beauty!’

Kim and Kourtney – who have had a rocky relationship in the past and once had a physical altercation on their reality TV show The Kardashians – currently appear to be on good terms after recently enjoying a family holiday together.

In addition to Kim’s tribute, Kourtney also fell in love with her other family members.

Khloe also shared a bikini photo of her and Kourtney, writing, “Happy birthday to my Jane @kourtneykardash, my sugarplum fairy, my little box of treats that you are. Towanda for life! You deserve every ounce of happiness, love and blessings you receive!’

Her mother Kris Jenner was the first to post. She called the POOSH founder her “firstborn baby doll” as she shared photos of the beauty.

Jenner also said that Kourtney was a “beautiful and amazing daughter.”

Meanwhile, her husband Travis shared a photo of her on the toilet.

“Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, soulmate and best friend forever. I love you, I love our life together. Thank you for being the most wonderful woman anyone could ask for. Here’s to many more years of adventures together ‍,” he shared.

Kourtney is now a mother of four: she has Rocky with rock star Travis, as well as Mason, 14, Penelope, 11, and Reign, 10, with ex-partner Scott Disick, 40.