China, Russia and Iran have been accused of fuelling wild conspiracy theories and disinformation about the Princess of Wales to destabilise Britain.
Senior figures in Whitehall fear that hostile states could be involved in the recent spread of speculation around Kate’s health.
The princess announced on Friday she was having preventative chemotherapy treatment for cancer, with Rishi Sunak leading the condemnation of online trolls who have targeted her in recent weeks.
Despite the Prime Minister’s intervention, however, rumours continued, including bizarre claims that her video was AI-generated, while others criticsed her for not going public with her diagnosis sooner.
It has now emerged that there is increasing concern among senior government figures over the alleged influence of China, Russia and Iran.
A government source told The Telegraph: ‘Part of the modus operandi of hostile states is to destabilise things – whether that is undermining the legitimacy of our elections or other institutions.’
Paddy Harverson, the former official spokesman of Kate and the Prince of Wales, said the online targeting of Kate (pictured) was the worst he had witnessed
The uploads saw trolls doctor Kate’s emotional message with the faces of Princess Diana or the Duchess of Sussex to prove how easily a deep fake could be created.
The Prince of Wales has also been targeted by trolls questioning why he did not sit beside his wife as she filmed the video.
It comes as Downing Street is preparing to officially blame China as responsible for a 2021 cyber attack on the electoral commission.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will tell MPs today that the superpower was behind the attack which saw hackers gain access to personal details of 40 million British electors.
Mr Dowden will also warn that Chinese hackers have targeted dozens of British politicians.
Within minutes of Kate’s announcement, trolls began spreading bizarre posts that her video was AI-generated while others criticised her for not going public sooner
Christopher Bouzy – an avid supporter of Harry and Meghan – went on a rant to his 350,000 followers on X.
The tech chief executive, bizarrely claimed Kate’s diagnosis meant that recent pictures were fake and accused the palace of ‘North Korea’ style propaganda.
‘I am sorry to hear Kate has cancer, I hope she has a full recovery. But it is also clear that all three earlier photos of her were fake, and the palace tried to cover it up,’ he wrote.
Mr Bouzy, who appeared on the Sussexes’ Netflix show, was apparently referencing Kate’s Mother’s Day photo, a video of her shopping in Windsor and an image of her being driven in a car.
Christopher Bouzy (pictured in the Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary) bizarrely claimed Kate’s diagnosis meant that recent pictures were fake and accused the palace of ‘North Korea’ style propaganda
Dr Jonathan Reiner claimed that Kate’s statement did not make ‘medical sense’
The 48-year-old added: ‘The palace lied, and the British Press happily helped them lie. The countless ‘conspiracy theory’ headlines, while knowing a lot of what was being said was true. This is really some North Korea/Trumpian type of propaganda.’
He was among conspiracy theorists who spread a CNN clip, which has now been viewed millions of times, in which a doctor claimed that Kate’s statement did not make ‘medical sense’.
Asked how cancer could be found after surgery, Jonathan Reiner said: ‘With all respect to the Royal Family, that kind of press release doesn’t make a lot of medical sense.’
The professor of medicine at George Washington University said such operations are preceded by extensive CAT scans and MRIs, adding it was ‘very likely’ the surgical team knew of the cancer prior to operating.
Several red-faced celebrities and commentators including Blake Lively and Kerry Katona have apologised for their careless comments about Kate. Others have face faced pressure to follow suit including Kim Kardashian, who previously uploaded a picture of herself next to her car with the caption ‘on my way to go find Kate’.
Paddy Harverson, the former official spokesman of Kate and the Prince of Wales, said the online targeting of her was the worst he had witnessed. ‘It’s a sort of permanent doom loop. And it’s the worst I’ve ever seen,’ he told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg.
Imran Ahmed, an expert in countering online extremism, said that platforms were guilty of promoting the conspiracy theories to keep audiences hooked in order to sell ads.
The head of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate said: ‘There is an algorithmic acceleration of conspiracy theories, hate and disinformation over accurate information and calls for support because that’s what keeps the audience captive.’
Harry and Meghan are believed to have made contact with William and Kate ‘privately’ on Friday night following the princess’s video.
It is not clear if the contact was a phone, video call or some messages of support – while the possibility of whether Harry will fly back to the UK is unknown.
It was also claimed in the United States that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex only learned about Kate’s condition at the same time the world heard the news.
