The recent video message from Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, revealing her battle with cancer has sparked a wave of conspiracy theories on social media.
Many have speculated that the emotional footage was generated using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Kensington Palace and the BBC have confirmed that it was an authentic recording.
Why have we reached this point of skepticism around Kate Middleton?
Let’s look at a chronology of events, from the initial surgery to the heartfelt statements of the Princess of Wales.
January 16: On January 16, Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery at The London Clinic, sparking initial speculation due to her absence from public appearances since December 25, 2023.
January 17: Kensington Palace confirmed Kate’s surgery, stating she would be absent from public duties until after Easter. Simultaneously, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles III’s treatment for an enlarged prostate.
January 26: Charles entered The London Clinic for a corrective procedure, coinciding with Kate’s stay.
January 29: Both Kate and Charles were discharged from the hospital. While Charles walked out with Camilla, Kate’s exit was not filmed or photographed, reflecting different approaches to privacy.
February 5: Buckingham Palace disclosed Charles’ cancer diagnosis following his benign prostate treatment.
February 7: Prince William expressed gratitude for support at a charity gala.
February 27: Prince William’s sudden cancellation of his participation in the funeral of his godfather Constantine of Greece fueled speculation about Kate’s health.
March 4: TMZ published a photo of Kate, her first public sighting post-surgery.
March 10: Kate posts a family photo with her three children to celebrate Mother’s Day, but the snapshot was photoshopped, fueling more theories about her whereabouts.
March 11: Kate apologized for editing speculations surrounding the Mother’s Day photo, later spotted with William leaving for a private appointment.
March 16: Kate and William were photographed shopping, countering ongoing rumors. Like the TMZ photo, the video of Kate at the Windsor farm was branded on social media as fake.
March 22: In a personal statement, Kate disclosed her cancer diagnosis.
March 23: Kensington Palace conveyed the royal couple’s appreciation for the overwhelming support received globally.
Conspiracy Theories: Kate Middleton Fake Video
The AI conspiracy theories surrounding Kate Middleton’s cancer revelation video gained traction on various social media platforms.
Several users pointed out alleged inconsistencies, such as the Princess wearing a similar sweater to the one she donned in a 2016 video.
Heads Together YouTube Video
(April 24th 2016) – https://t.co/tPasDBYKmVKate Middleton Reveals she has Cancer YouTube Video (March 22nd 2024) – https://t.co/Ug9dmJr3I7 pic.twitter.com/wX5HaRUx69
— Brittany Weber (@BrittanyWeberrr) March 23, 2024
However, upon closer inspection, the sweaters were indeed different, with varying sleeve lengths and styles.
Another claim suggested that Kate’s ring appeared to disappear momentarily during the video, fueling suspicions of AI manipulation.
Notice how Kate Middleton's ring disappears 🤔
Still you believe them? pic.twitter.com/S243aWEtUV
— MAVERICK X (@MAVERIC68078049) March 24, 2024
However, this phenomenon can be attributed to motion blur, a common occurrence when hands are in motion during filming.
Some users highlighted the warm, green surroundings in the video, questioning whether the footage accurately represented the English weather at the time of recording.
However, official meteorological data confirms that February was exceptionally warm in Britain, and the presence of daffodils in the background aligns with the spring season in the UK.
Additionally, reputable AI and deepfake detection software, such as Deepware, analyzed the video and found no evidence of AI manipulation or deepfake technology being used.
The conspiracy theories gained further momentum when an alleged “Illuminati whistleblower” account shared claims of the video being AI-generated, with details about looped birdsong and static grass and flowers.
Two different AI detecting softwares from two separate sources. It is AI. Birdsong on a loop. Grass and flowers never move. Looks warm and green in England for this time of year. lol. pic.twitter.com/68I5jnhTVm
— Donald Marshall (@DMofficialtruth) March 23, 2024
However, such accounts are known for spreading misinformation and should be treated with skepticism.
Experts in the fields of video production and AI technology have weighed in, dismissing the conspiracy theories as unfounded.
They have pointed out that creating a seamless, high-quality AI-generated video of such length and complexity would require technological capabilities far beyond what is currently available.
The notion that they would employ advanced AI technology to generate a video without proper disclosure or acknowledgment is highly improbable.
While the emergence of AI and deepfake technology has raised legitimate concerns about the spread of misinformation.
The claims surrounding Kate Middleton’s cancer revelation video lack credible evidence.