Royal Ruse: Russian Media’s False Alarm on King Charles III’s Alleged Death

Monday afternoon saw a sensational development ripple through Russian media: the reported demise of King Charles III. Despite the lack of confirmation, the rumor gained momentum rapidly, initially surfacing on a Telegram channel linked to Vedomosti, a once-revered business newspaper in Russia. Accompanied by a photo of Charles in military regalia, the terse message declared his passing, sparking a frenzy across Russian online platforms, including the pro-Kremlin channel Readovka with over 2.35 million subscribers.

In the absence of official announcements from Buckingham Palace or the BBC, Readovka produced a dubious document, purportedly from royal communications, stating the king’s sudden demise on March 18, 2024. The file closely mimicked the format of past palace announcements, reminiscent of the one issued upon the late queen’s passing. Other versions circulated, including an abdication letter naming an unlikely successor, “King Bob, the yellow Minion.”

The news soon crossed borders, reaching Ukraine, where a prominent television station reposted it, and even extended as far as Tajikistan, where Asia-Plus, a major independent media outlet, covered the story. Yet, doubts began to surface about its authenticity. Gazeta.Ru initially reported Charles’s death, citing Buckingham Palace, but later appended a skeptical note acknowledging the absence of confirmation from British sources. A prominent Russian media editor echoed these uncertainties, questioning the veracity of the information and suggesting the palace’s website might have been compromised.

As speculation swirled, memes flooded social media platforms. Pro-Kremlin channels shared edited images mocking the situation, with one depicting Charles’s head superimposed on a controversial photograph of the Princess of Wales. Amidst the chaos, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson joined in, ridiculing London’s perceived vulnerability.

However, the climax came when the Russian state news agency Tass delivered the ultimate verdict: King Charles III remained alive and well, diligently fulfilling his official duties and private engagements.