Love Actually fans only just noticing tragic hidden detail in devastating scene all these years later

Everyone knows about the iconic Love Actually scene which broke the hearts of many, but they may not have noticed this tiny detail - until now.

The legendary Christmas classic has been donning our screens for years now and it’s somewhat of a tradition to plonk it on each year and cry, laugh and cringe all over again.

Love Actually features a number of couples and couples-to-be and follows their journeys through the holidays.

Ultimately, it generally ends with love.

However, there are some which don’t work out.

Queue Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman’s storyline.

Karen was left heartbroken on Christmas day (Universal Pictures)

Oh, the betrayal we all felt while watching their marriage come to an end.

Richard Curtis' film knew what it was doing when it gave us that casting and soundtrack to match.

The 2003 classic rom-com provided one upsetting scene, which involves Thompson and Rickman, that people are only just realising there was a subtle detail which makes it all the more sad.

It all began when the couple, who play Karen and Harry, go to the shopping centre to Christmas shop.

Karen pops off to grab some bits and bobs while Harry stops in front of a jewellery counter, and encounters Rowan Atkinson’s terribly slow, yet fantastic gift-wrapping skills.

Little did Karen know that her husband was engaging in an inappropriate relationship with his assistant who he's been flirting with at work, who he was purchasing the necklace for.

However, when Karen finds the necklace box inside of his jacket pocket back at home, she obviously thinks it’s for her.

But she winds up with a Joni Mitchell CD instead, as he bestowed the necklace to his soon-to-be side chick.

But it turns out that there was a detail that makes things worse.

Apparently, Karen had matched her earrings and outfit to match up with the necklace she was hoping to receive.

If you can remember, the necklace in question was a gold heart pendant with a little ruby jewel in the middle.

Harry was busy trying to get it on with his assistant (Universal Pictures)

So, on Christmas day, Karen wore ruby earrings, a reddish cardigan and red lipstick.

Essentially locking in the colour scheme for her new present.

When someone shared this fact in a TikTok video, one fan said: "WAIT. What do you mean she matched her earrings?!! How have I NEVER noticed that???"

Another said: "But how have I never noticed the earrings."

However, someone knew about it all along, writing: "I've always said the earrings, lipstick and cardigan all ready to match it is the saddest part of all."

If you thought it was impossible, it turns out there's even more reason to be heartbroken by the scene as Thompson’s emotions weren't entirely rooted in fiction.

She had also been through an adulterous heartbreak in real life.

Thompson was once married to actor Kenneth Branagh between 1989 and 1995 - but he went on to have an affair with fellow actress Helena Bonham Carter.

Thompson told the Telegraph: "That scene where my character is standing by the bed crying is so well known because it’s something everyone’s been through.

“I had my heart very badly broken by Ken. So I knew what it was like to find the necklace that wasn’t meant for me. Well, it wasn’t exactly that, but we’ve all been through it."

She continued: "I’ve had so much bloody practice at crying in a bedroom. Then having to go out and be cheerful, gathering up the pieces of my heart and putting them in a drawer.”