Kate Middleton has been dominating headlines worldwide due to her absence from the spotlight since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, leading to strange rumors and conspiracy theories about her whereabouts.
However, on March 23, the Princess of Wales revealed that she is undergoing cancer treatment in a video released by Kensington Palace, ending all speculations.
In the video, Kate appeared sitting on benches in the gardens of Windsor Palace, with cherry blossoms and daffodils in the background. She was wearing a striped black and white jacket with blue jeans, and her hair was down. She mentioned that her cancer diagnosis was not known when she underwent the abdominal surgery.
However, it was discovered in tests following the surgery that cancer was present. My medical team recommended chemotherapy and preventative treatment, and I am now in the early stages of this treatment.
Nevertheless, the video’s message triggered new conspiracy theories on social media, suggesting that the recording may be a “deepfake AI technology,” with some users even questioning the lack of movement in the background leaves or grass.
The French news agency (AFP) also reported that some social media users quickly shared a slow-motion version of the video, indicating that it was “digitally altered.”
Official verifications have not been made. But some others also inquired about the absence of a mark on her cheek, which was prominent in other photos of the princess.
A social media user tweeted on X, “Is this real or AI-generated? Look at the background.”
“Sorry Windsor family, Kate Middleton, and mainstream media – I still don’t believe what you’re promoting,” another user commented.
Another social media user tweeted, “Kate’s case affected me; the alleged image manipulation, where a fake family image with Kate Middleton’s head from a Vogue cover was created. And now Kate announces she’s fighting cancer, I believe this video is AI-manipulated. This part caught my attention…”
However, Princess Kate Middleton’s video does not seem fake!
It’s important to note that none of these theories have been confirmed. In fact, a digital AI artist responded to many of the theories on social media about the ring in a post on X.
“Keep in mind that the angle at which you view the ring changes and there are motion-blur effects from the hand movements – the ring remains clearly visible,”
Gary Walker wrote. “Conspiracy theorists are wrong on this.”
For some, the genuine news about Middleton’s health brought the long-awaited relief. While it instilled a conceptual concern for the potential future of the next Queen in the minds of others. And still, as has been the case throughout her health struggles, many persist in perpetuating rumors, empowered by the rumors that began with questionable PR moves from Kensington Palace.
AFP-MACA-X(Twitter)
