Internet left baffled by bizarre detail in William and Kate's Christmas card

It's the sort of thing that you can't unsee once you've noticed it, so social media, of course, is having a field day. 

Christmas has come early for royal enthusiasts with the release of the Prince and Princess of Wales' annual Christmas card. 

But this year - it's got everyone doing a double take. 

And it's not just because all of their kids are growing up so fast!

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

Image: Josh Shinner

RELATED: Roxy Jacenko’s 12-year-old slammed

The royal family's Christmas card controversy

Prince William and Kate Middleton, both 41, released the stunning black-and-white family portrait to social media over the weekend, captioned: "Our family Christmas card for 2023. 🎄❤️"

It's a classic shot: Kate's arm around Prince George, 10, William's hand on Prince Louis' shoulder, and Princess Charlotte, eight, cool and composed, taking centre stage.

But, as the internet does best, people have started to notice some odd details in the photo... specifically, about what appears to be missing. 

Prince Louis' middle finger, or rather, its absence, has left many royal fans baffled. 

The five-year-old's left hand is resting on the arm of Charlotte's seat and appears to only have four fingers on it.

Image: Josh Shinner

RELATED: ‘And Just Like That’ season 3 brings bad news for Carrie and Aidan

"What in the AI is going on?"

It's the sort of detail that you can't unsee once you've noticed it, so social media, of course, is having a field day. 

One user on X (formerly Twitter) kicked off the 'missing finger theory'. 

"Is Prince Louis missing a finger? What in the AI is going on?" they wrote.

Another put it down to an editing mishap, saying, "Look at his hand! What is going on... looks Photoshopped."

Someone else agreed, writing: "That has got to to be the worst photoshopped photo ever."

But another user suggested, "I think it's just how he's holding the arm of the chair."

But wait, there's more!

The controversies didn't stop there. Some commenters took issue with Louis' outfit, saying that he shouldn't be wearing shorts in such a formal family portrait. 

Then there's Princess Charlotte's fingers, which drew attention for being "extra long" according to some. Perhaps another Photoshop mishap?

And finally, others were left wondering, where on earth are Prince William's legs?

It seems like the royal family photo has given the internet a lot to talk about!

Originally published as Internet left baffled by bizarre detail in William and Kate's Christmas card