People confused as Prince Louis is spotted ‘missing a finger’ in Christmas photo

The annual Christmas card imagery from the Prince and Princess of Wales has been released - and royal fans are all wondering where their son’s finger has gone.

To celebrate Yuletide early, Prince William and Kate Middleton, both 41, have put out a stunning black-and-white image of their family.

In the monochrome snap, taken by Yorkshire photographer Josh Shinner, the latter has her arm around Prince George, ten, whilst the future King of England is resting a protective hand on the shoulder of his son Prince Louis, five.

Princess Charlotte is sitting front and centre of the royal snap and is wearing a crisp white shirt and dark trousers, much like the rest of her family.

However, many viewers have taken issue with the photograph - which is due be distributed on Christmas cards this festive season.

Many royal fans claim that William’s legs are missing from behind Charlotte’s chair and have questioned why Prince Louis is in shorts.

Our family Christmas card for 2023 🎄❤️

📸 Josh Shinner pic.twitter.com/X9du9EkpaI

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 9, 2023

Others have also zoomed in on where Louis is resting his hand on the arm of Charlotte's seat and pointed out how it appears that his middle finger is missing.

On the photograph, one X (formerly Twitter) user debated: “I think the missing finger is how he’s holding the arm of the chair….

“And I could vaguely get missing limbs behind the chair/and Charlotte. But Louis should have been in long pants. George definitely giving a side eye to the whole enterprise.”

A second said: “I’m not a fan of this photo, look at Louis & his left hand, what is going on with that, it looks photoshopped.

“Also Charlotte’s extra long fingers. It’s happy holiday vibes & not happy Christmas, [The Royal Family] are (sic) supposed to be the leaders of the church.

“Louis is missing a finger, this has got to be the worst photoshopped pic ever,” said another.

And someone else penned: "Is Prince Louis missing a finger? What in the AI is going on."

The bizarre image was originally shared on Saturday (9 December) by The Prince and Princess of Wales’ official X account, accompanied by the caption: “Our family Christmas card for 2023.”

A second Christmas card was also released this year - a coloured image of King Charles III and Queen consort Camilla.

The sovereign posed alongside his wife, wearing a coronation tunic which was previously worn by King George VI in 1937.

This photo is the second festive card to feature King Charles as monarch after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on 8 September 2022.