Prince William and Kate Middleton have been accused of a Photoshop fail on their Christmas card after Prince Louis appeared to have a missing finger—but some argue the image is more authentic than it looks.
The Prince and Princess of Wales 2023 Christmas card will feature them with Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George against a dappled gray background.
However, some suggested their youngest child was missing a finger, with news outlets in both Britain and America blaming inadequate photoshopping.
And it is easy to understand why in an era when AI image generators routinely turn around photorealistic pictures in which the only giveaway is often an extra finger or missing thumb.
However, a closer inspection of the Wales' Christmas card reveals Louis does have the right number of fingers and the appearance of a missing digit may just be a trick of the eye.
The prince's left hand rests on the arm of a chair with four fingers clearly visible and it is entirely possible his thumb is simply obscured by the arm of the chair.
The confusion appears to have arisen because his second and middle finger are splayed apart while the white of the skin in between, at passing glance, looks like a partial extra digit.
Just saw @extratv report on Prince Louis’ “missing finger” being the worst photoshop ever. How embarrassing and gross for them to report on this. Do better @DeborahNorville. pic.twitter.com/ZiOvdwEbq0
— Kensington Blue (@kensingtonblue) December 12, 2023
The photoshop theory would then have the finger closest to Louis' torso as his thumb. However, it is clear from the picture that it leaves his hand in the same straight line as his other fingers, rather than sticking out to the side.
The most likely explanation appears, therefore, to be that the photo shows all four of Louis' fingers while his thumb is simply out of shot behind the arm of the chair.
This was not the only Photoshop theory relating to the image, however, as some on the internet also felt William looked to have a missing leg.
Where is Willy's bottom half?
— Freedom, Happiness, Clarity, Space, Love (@theroyaleditor) December 10, 2023
Consider the angle of his supposed right leg, his left leg should be visible in the chair opening unless he's trying to do a split? pic.twitter.com/5GgThkW5XD
On X, one user wrote: "Where is Willy's bottom half? Consider the angle of his supposed right leg, his left leg should be visible in the chair opening unless he's trying to do a split?"
It comes after Prince Louis put on a cheeky display at Kate's Together at Christmas royal carol service at Westminster Abbey, on Friday, December 8.
The prankster blew out Princess Charlotte candle in the latest in a growing back catalog of heart-warming antics at royal events.
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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About the writer
Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
