That changes everything.
The apparent height difference is not a reliable comparison of their actual heights because they are not standing on the same level.
Diana’s seated position naturally lowers her head and shoulders.
Charles, meanwhile, remains upright.
When the image is tightly framed, the bench can become difficult to notice, especially if viewers concentrate primarily on the couple’s faces.
The visual result is surprisingly convincing.
Charles appears much taller, even though the photograph does not demonstrate a corresponding difference in their standing heights.
What initially seems mysterious becomes understandable once the surrounding context is recognized.
The photograph has not necessarily been digitally altered.
Neither person’s body has changed.
There is no need to assume that an elaborate visual trick was involved.
The difference comes from the positions they occupied when the picture was taken.
The explanation is especially interesting because it illustrates how easily the human eye can be influenced by incomplete visual information.
