It’s thought the hands are used to disguise rifles…

The internet is divided over whether King Charles’ bodyguards are sporting fake mannequin hands. Footage of the servicemen — who are currently guarding the new monarch following his ascension to the throne — has been doing the rounds on social media, with many users dissecting the bodyguards’ stiff hand movements while circulating the king.

The videos in question were taken as Charles greeted mourners outside Windsor Castle, as bodyguards huddle on the King’s periphery. “Do some [bodyguards] have fake arms, hands on guns?” the user wrote in the accompanying caption. While the accuracy of the claim is unknown, many are theorising that the use of mannequin hands could be to conceal weapons.

@jase_the_ace_ King Charles security #kingcharles #buckinghampalace #security #kingcharlesiii #bodygaurd #fakearm ♬ original sound – Jason

Rumours swirled years ago that bodyguards to the royal family sport fake hands and arms to disguise guns, in the event that an engagement turns sour. The bodyguards’ unbuttoned blazers and differing grips between hands seem to affirm this theory, with users commenting that this method has long been used to protect the monarch without brandishing a weapon in public. The bodyguards’ hand movements also include a stiff stride and an unchanging grip.

The theory arises ahead of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, which will take place today. The late Queen, who was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died at age 96 earlier this month, and her funeral will be attended by Australians Anthony Albenese and Dylan Alcott, among others.

@kevhead22 What’s going on with the Bodyguard’s hands? #KingCharles #Bodyguard ♬ Stranger Things – Remix – Dharma

Elsewhere, in royal hand-related news, the fingers of the King himself have received renewed attention since his ascension to the throne. Images of Charles’ decidedly-porky digits have been uniformly roasted online, to the point where a New Zealand butcher has begun selling ‘King Charles III sausage fingers’.