Buckingham Palace has stepped forward to address the ongoing confusion surrounding the King’s health amidst baseless rumors of his demise.
Reports circulating in Russian media had falsely claimed that the British monarch had passed away, prompting the palace to swiftly respond to dispel the misinformation.
The official statement provided to news agency TASS reassured the public, confirming that the King is actively engaged in both official duties and personal affairs.
In a peculiar turn of events in mid-March, the royal household found itself entangled in a web of false claims originating from a Russian media outlet.
A message purportedly from Buckingham Palace, bearing the seal of the British monarch’s London residence, was released, stating, “Tragically, the King died yesterday afternoon,” without providing any further details.
The Guardian highlighted that the erroneous story gained traction after being shared on a telegram channel by Vedomosti, a formerly reputable business daily in Russia.
Accompanying the misleading narrative was an image of the King dressed in ceremonial military attire, with the caption declaring, “The British King has died.”
This content swiftly spread across various online platforms, including Ryadovka, a pro-Kremlin telegram community boasting over 2.35 million users.
The dissemination of the false news also extended to several British embassies, such as the one in Kyiv, Ukraine, which took to social media to debunk the fabricated reports of the King’s passing.
On March 19, the Royal family’s social media accounts shared a photo of the King engaging with Korean war veterans, only for the announcement to be later exposed as fraudulent.
Mash of the telegram channel acknowledged the error, citing the New York Post, after Buckingham Palace issued a formal clarification, underscoring the need for responsible reporting.
It was revealed that the King had recently undergone prostate surgery following a cancer diagnosis, raising concerns about his well-being.
Amidst the ongoing battle with cancer, His Majesty sought medical intervention for an enlarged prostate, initially deemed benign, prompting a corrective procedure in January.
Subsequent diagnostic tests during a hospital visit in early February unveiled the presence of cancer, necessitating outpatient treatment while fulfilling his royal obligations.
The King’s unwavering commitment to his duties despite health challenges underscores his resilience and dedication to serving the nation.
In light of the recent misinformation surrounding the King’s health, Buckingham Palace’s prompt response serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying sources and exercising caution in sharing unverified news.