The painting that could finally prove Anne Boleyn's 'sixth finger' was a MYTH: Infrared scan reveals hidden detail in a 400-year-old portrait of King Henry VIII's second wife
A 400–year–old painting could finally prove that Anne Boleyn's 'sixth finger' was nothing more than a vicious rumour. Now, an infrared scan of the famous 'Rose' portrait has revealed that the painting was deliberately altered to dispel these rumours. Unlike most paintings of Anne Boleyn (left), the Rose portrait is unusual in that it chooses to show the Queens hands. Henry VII had Anne Boleyn executed by beheading in April 1536, and declared their daughter Elizabeth I to be illegitimate. AdvertisementHever Castle commissioned research on the Hever Rose portrait from the Hamilton Kerr Institute, which is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
Source: Daily Mail February 03, 2026 01:17 UTC
