Over the years, the Royal Family has found itself at the centre of repeated debates about photo editing. While light retouching is now common for public figures, these incidents go far beyond smoothing skin or adjusting lighting. In several cases, critics have accused royal households of heavy digital manipulation, from awkward cut-and-paste work to images that appear stitched together from entirely separate moments.
Some of these controversies have fuelled endless online speculation, while others became serious enough that news agencies removed the photos altogether. Here are some of the most talked-about editing scandals involving royal images in recent years.
The Wales family Christmas card raises eyebrows
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ 2025 Christmas card was released with a warm seasonal message wishing everyone a happy holiday. The photo, taken by photographer Josh Shinner in April, showed Prince William and Princess Kate sitting in a field of daffodils with Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.