One commenter asked bluntly whether the image was another example of heavy Photoshop use, while another insisted Kate’s hand looked digitally inserted. As the discussion gained traction, screenshots of the card circulated widely across platforms, fuelling further debate.

A pattern under public scrutiny

The renewed attention highlights how closely every detail of the Wales family’s public appearances is now examined. Kensington Palace has not yet responded to the claims, though Tyla has reached out for comment.

The controversy also revives memories of last year’s Christmas card, which broke with tradition by being released as a GIF rather than a still image. That 2024 card showed falling snow over a computer-generated background and was released on the same day Kate shared a deeply personal video announcing she had completed chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis earlier that year. The message then read, “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”