Spain's royal family _ too busy to organize a photo shoot _ used a digitally manipulated montage for its &to=http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/14756_Christmas.html' target=_blank>Christmas greeting card, the palace confirmed Friday.
The photograph shows &to=http://english.pravda.ru/world/2001/12/10/23282.html' target=_blank>King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia sitting on a sofa surrounded by their seven grandchildren.
A lush, summery garden _ hardly a winter scene _ is visible through large picture windows. Two poinsettia plants, which are typical of Christmastime in Spain, seem to float on the carpet next to them.
"This is not photo manipulation, it is not a photograph of an official event _ it is merely a compilation used as a Christmas greeting," a royal household spokesman told The Associated Press.
It had been impossible to gather the grandchildren with the kings all at once, leading to the need to use earlier photographs, the spokesman said.
Newborn Princess Leonor did not leave the hospital till Nov. 7, and there appears to be no room for the king's legs in the final montage.
The spokesman said thousands of royal Christmas cards are posted annually, reports AP.
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