In the morning today, King Charles was observed departing Windsor Castle and arriving at Clarence House in London, mere hours after erroneous reports from Russian media falsely alleged his passing.
The 75-year-old monarch was observed in the back of a royal limousine as he departed his Berkshire residence before reaching the capital.
Yesterday, the British embassy in Moscow had to issue an official statement confirming that King Charles III is still alive, refuting inaccurate reports from Russian media about his death.
Numerous Russian news outlets and their associated social media accounts spread unverified claims of the King’s demise due to cancer complications, citing unnamed ‘media’ sources in a confusing wave of posts.
A fabricated statement allegedly from ‘Buckingham Palace’ announcing Charles’ ‘unexpected death’ circulated on social media.
Numerous prominent outlets shared the false news, raising questions about whether they had made an error or if Vladimir Putin’s propaganda machine was involved.
The British embassy’s Telegram channel posted a notice in Russian to clarify that the reports were false.
“The reports regarding the death of King Charles III of Great Britain are false,” stated the announcement, following a similar message from the British Embassy in Ukraine.
Early outlets that initially ran the fake report included RIA, Sputnik, Readkovka, and Mash—strongly pro-Putin outlets—but all later corrected their stories.
Mash media outlet initially wrote: ‘Britain’s King Charles III has died, Buckingham Palace reports. The son of Elizabeth II ascended the throne less than a year ago— the coronation took place on May 6, 2023. He was 75 years old.’
Later, it updated to say ‘the message turned out to be fake,’ while adding: ‘Let us remember that a few months ago he was diagnosed with cancer.’
However, the outlet later stated: ‘The fake news about the death of Charles III quickly spread and was just as quickly debunked.
‘The King of Great Britain is alive and continues to go about his business. At least that’s what Buckingham Palace says.’
Even Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, joined the fray, posting: ‘London looks pathetic.’
Pro-Kremlin BAZA online media posted: ‘The Russian media reported the death of British King Charles III with reference to a document allegedly published by Buckingham Palace.
‘The screenshot of the message about the death of Charles III turned out to be fake.’
The fake palace announcement was dated today and said: ‘The King passed away unexpectedly yesterday afternoon.’
Independent outlet Meduza stated: ‘A number of media and Telegram channels reported the death of the British King Charles III—with reference to a fake statement from Buckingham Palace.
‘A screenshot of the statement, which became a news source, is provided, in particular, by the BAZA Telegram channel.
‘This statement is not on the website or social networks of the royal family.’
Russian state news outlet RIA Novosti corrected its earlier report while admitting it was based on ‘rumours’, stating: ‘The press service of Buckingham Palace denied RIA Novosti rumours about the death of King Charles III.
‘He continues to conduct official and private affairs.
‘Information about Charles’ death appeared some time ago in many Russian sources. The basis for it was a certain message, the authorship of which was attributed to Buckingham Palace and which, apparently, turned out to be a fake.’
State news agency TASS reported that the story was fake.
The Kremlin’s own newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, published by Putin’s government, wrote: ‘King Charles III continues to carry out work and private affairs, Buckingham Palace said.
‘Previously, many Telegram channels published unverified and false information about the death of the monarch.’
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