‘It’s a permanent doom loop’: Ex-Palace adviser says Kate conspiracy theory frenzy is the ‘worst he has ever seen’ – as shameless trolls start spreading new bizarre posts about her brave cancer video
A former palace adviser says the conspiracy theory frenzy circulating around the Princess of Wales is the ‘worst he has ever seen’.
Paddy Harverson, previously the official spokesperson for King Charles and Prince William, said ‘it’s like a permanent doom run’ amid shameless trolls spreading new bizarre reports about Kate’s brave cancer video.
Speaking on BBC One on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Harverson said social and mainstream media are ‘feeding on themselves’.
Kate’s emotional video of herself sitting on a park bench and telling the world about her diagnosis has touched the hearts of the nation and should put an end to months of frenzied online speculation about her whereabouts and health.
Yet bizarre conspiracy theories persist, as cruel trolls spread ridiculous speculation that Kate’s video was AI-generated.
The Princess of Wales’s emotional video of her sitting on a park bench and telling the world about her cancer diagnosis has touched the hearts of the nation – but cruel trolls are spreading the ridiculous theory that it was generated by AI
Former palace adviser Paddy Harverson said the speculation and pressure over Kate’s health and whereabouts is ‘the worst I have ever seen’
Mr Harverson, who was an adviser to Prince William during his courtship of Princess Kate during the early years of their relationship, said of the speculation and pressure that has increased in recent months about her health and whereabouts: ‘It’s kind of a permanent downfall. loop,” he said. “And it’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen.”
Speaking about Kate’s emotional video statement, filmed in the gardens of Windsor Castle, he added: ‘I absolutely believe that if we hadn’t had all the madness and social media, if we hadn’t had the kind of Mother’s Day photo. Wrong, they still would have done it that way.’
The video has been reposted on social media by cruel trolls with Princess Diana and Meghan Markle’s face superimposed over Kate’s in an attempt to ‘prove’ the simplicity of creating a deepfake video.
Theories posted on
A community note – in which contributors could comment on the accuracy of posts – soon appeared below the post, reading: ‘This is another ridiculous conspiracy theory. What you see is a reflection in the painted surface of the sofa.’
Claims that a video from seven years ago of Kate wearing the same sweater was used as a template to create the AI have also been ridiculed by social media users.
Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, posted a message in support of Kate following her announcement on Friday evening.
She called her video “brave,” which was “delivered by Princess Kate with her signature grace.”
Yaccarino wrote, “Her request for privacy, to protect her children and allow her to move forward (without endless speculation) seems like a reasonable request to respect.”
Still, some were seething with anger over Yaccarino’s tweet, calling her a hypocrite.
Former BBC journalist Simon McCoy said: ‘Your platform has been used to promote conspiracy theories – and worse. Your hypocrisy is astonishing.”
Speaking on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuennsberg, Mr Harverson said social and mainstream media ‘feed on themselves’
The theories – dubbed #KateGate – went crazy after publishing a photo on her official social media channels for Mother’s Day, when it became clear the photo had been altered using Adobe Photoshop.
Kate, 42, will now retreat to the sanctuary of her family home Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, with Prince William and their children ‘to cut herself off from the world’, no doubt in the hope of being left alone as she battles against the disease
Prince William and Princess Kate pictured with their three children, Prince George (left), Princess Charlotte (right) and Prince Louis (centre) at Anmer Hall in Norfolk for their 2020 Christmas card
Princess Kate and her family have found sanctuary in their Anmer Hall home (pictured) while she undergoes cancer treatment
Another added: “It’s ridiculous that while Kate is battling cancer she has to record such a video because of runaway conspiracy theories and the trolls who perpetuate them.”
Twitter’s former UK and Europe boss Bruce Daisley said The Sunday times said the “more serious issue” was how X’s algorithms promote untrustworthy content.
“It’s significantly more powerful since (Elon) Musk arrived,” he said.
“In reality, Musk doesn’t care. He has shown that he does not think about the consequences of everything he does.’
Damian Collins, the Conservative MP who previously chaired the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said: ‘The problem with these platforms is that they recommend content to generate engagement and capture people’s attention in order to make money. to earn’.
“And if a clickbait story based on conspiracy theories gets people’s attention, they’re more interested in that than in promoting news,” he said.
The theories – dubbed #KateGate – went crazy after publishing a photo on her official social media channels for Mother’s Day, when it became clear the photo had been altered using Adobe Photoshop.
Several photo agencies issued rare ‘kill’ notices for the photo as it had been substantially altered – with online wannabe detectives pointing out the flaws in the photo, which Kate said she edited herself.
Matters did not improve when photo agency Getty Images later said that a photo of Queen Elizabeth II sitting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also taken by Kate, had been “digitally enhanced at the source.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales were spotted together last week as William attended The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
The Princess of Wales movingly revealed how she reassures her young children amid her battle with cancer, after announcing she is battling the disease.
In her statement, she said she and Prince William had explained the situation to their children George, Charlotte and Louis, following the “huge shock” of her diagnosis.
Princess Catherine said she told them she was “doing well and getting stronger every day” and that she was “focusing on the things that will help me heal.”
In a televised speech, the future queen revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing successful abdominal surgery in January, and that doctors had advised her to undergo preventive chemotherapy.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be ‘hugely moved’ and ‘extremely moved’ by the warmth and support from the public following Kate’s cancer announcement.
There has been a global outpouring of support, including from the King, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, political figures and members of the public.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said on Saturday: ‘The Prince and Princess have both been hugely touched by the kind messages from people here in Britain, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’ message.
“They are extremely touched by the warmth and support of the public and are grateful for their understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”