William and Kate slammed for 'horror movie' home video

The clip seems more like an In Memoriam video than a celebration of a family holiday. Photo / Getty Images

It was a nice idea in theory: Kensington Palace releasing a social media video to mark the end of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's successful eight-day tour of Canada.

The resulting video, though, has been likened to a horror movie.

"We have created such happy memories for our children during this visit," tweeted the official Kensington Palace account - but the accompanying video seems anything but happy.

Dimly-lit, shot in slow-motion and with an ominous, unsettling soundtrack, the clip seems more like an In Memoriam video than a celebration of a family holiday. Take a look:

We have created such happy memories for our children during this visit #RoyalVisitCanada pic.twitter.com/S1v0XO3WvT

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) October 1, 2016

Royal-watchers were quick to voice their confusion at the deeply creepy clip:

That was like an In Memoriam video. How weird.

— Jennifer 🌈 (@LadySassington) October 2, 2016

Totally creepy. Lovely kids having fun and this is the result?

— Hovikirjeenvaihtaja (@Hovikirjeenvaih) October 2, 2016

During their eight-day Canadian tour, the royal couple visited Vancouver's most impoverished neighbourhood, participated in aboriginal ceremonies in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, and met residents of the small community of Carcross, Yukon.

Prince George, three, and Princess Charlotte, 16 months, made two public appearances during the tour.

William spoke about the milestone eight-day visit - their first official overseas trip as a family of four - saying they felt "very lucky" to have introduced Prince George and Princess Charlotte to the Commonwealth country which will play a big part in their lives.