About This Page
This page is part of the Museum of Hoaxes' Hoax Photo Archive, a catalog of photo fakery throughout history. Images are categorized by theme, technique of fakery, and time period.
Hoax Museum Archives
Holiday Greetings, from Spain’s Royal Family
Status: Fake (composite)
Technique of Fakery: Composite Images.
Date and Time Period: December 2005; (2005-Present)
Themes: Children, Politics, Striking a Pose
Technique of Fakery: Composite Images.
Date and Time Period: December 2005; (2005-Present)
Themes: Children, Politics, Striking a Pose
The official Christmas holiday photograph of the Spanish royal family, published on its website, showed King Juan Carlos and his wife Queen Sofia sitting on a red sofa surrounded by their seven grandchildren. A spokesman for the royal family later admitted the photo was fake. It had not been possible to gather the grandchildren together for a photo shoot. Therefore, the family members were digitally assembled in a composite photo. "It is not a photograph of an official event - it is merely a compilation used as a Christmas greeting," a royal household spokesman said. Critics noted that in the photo the King appeared to have no legs.
References:
"Spain's royal family uses digitally manipulated photo for Christmas card." (Dec 23, 2005). Associated Press.
"Spain's royal family uses digitally manipulated photo for Christmas card." (Dec 23, 2005). Associated Press.
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