Louis baffles eagle-eyed royal fans with one odd detail in Mother's Day photo
Eagle-eyed royal fans have been left baffled by an odd detail about Prince Louis in a new family photo marking Mother's Day.
Princess Kate posted a rare message on Instagram this morning thanking everyone for their support as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery. The mum-of-three, 42, underwent an operation in January at a private London clinic which Buckingham Palace said was not cancer-related.
Wild conspiracy theories have emerged since she was last seen over Christmas - but her post today showed her looking healthy and happy alongside her three kids Princes George, 10, and Louis, five, and Princess Charlotte, eight. Kate wrote: "Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day. C."
The message was shared on behalf of Kate and her husband Prince William by their communications team on their official social media channel. It's understood the photo was taken by William earlier this week.
However, some fans have noticed something strange about a finger on Louis' right hand. One said: "Lol Prince Louis is always doing something extra. Look at his right hand." Another said: "Photoshop picture. Check prince Louis fingers. One is short." A third said: "Prince Louis crossing his fingers."
Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'It was also previously flagged up after the Waleses posted a family snap for Christmas last year. At the time, some questioned whether it was an editing glitch resulting in him appearing to have a finger missing.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan wrote: "Gorgeous photo! What happened to Prince Louis' finger? It looks like it's missing." Another said: "Is Prince Louis missing a finger? What in the AI is going on." However, another fan pointed out: "I think the missing finger is how he’s holding the arm of the chair…"
A royal source insisted to the Daily Mail that the photo had not been digitally altered, at least when it comes to Louis' missing finger. “It's not Photoshopped. It seems as if (Louis) just bent his finger over. He's certainly not lost a finger – don't worry about that!” they said of the festive snap.
Aside from Louis' finger, fans also praised the photo generally and gushed over how well Kate was looking. One said: "Absolutely wonderful to see the Princess looking so well and the children looking so big! A beautiful photo taken by the Prince, thank you for sharing."
Another added: Wishing you a wonderful day today with your gorgeous children, and a speedy, full recovery and return in your own good time to public life and engagements. And a third said: "I love this. The Princess of Wales looks healthy. Such a beautiful picture."
One fan even mentioned how strong the family resemblance is in the youngest Wales child. They said: "Louis looks so much like grandpa Middleton."