A BBC journalist has been blasted after she appeared to share an unfounded conspiracy theory about Princess Kate online – suggesting that a “lookalike” was captured on camera alongside Prince William in a recent video.
Last night, footage published in The Sun showed the Prince and Princess of Wales carrying bags after an outing to a farm shop in Windsor on Saturday.
Royal fans were quick to gush over how well Kate appeared to be doing, with fans taking to social media site X to comment on her “relaxed” and “beautiful” appearance.
Less than 24 hours later, though, the conspiracy theories which have been rife online in recent weeks continued, after weeks of speculation about the mother of three’s wellbeing since she underwent planned abdominal surgery back in January.
BBC rugby specialist Sonja McLaughlan echoed one theory on her X account, after she appeared to bizarrely suggest that the woman seen walking with Prince William, captured by an onlooker, was not in fact Princess Kate – even going as far as to say that the future King could have been replaced by an actor, too.
Commenting on a viral video which compared professionally taken, older pictures of Kate to the latest grainy, amateur footage, Mc McLaughlan said: “It’s so obviously not Kate. Some newspapers are reporting it as fact. But it’s not her. No conspiracy theorist but all very odd.”
She questioned why UK newspapers were “reporting this as fact”, and theorised that it “could be a couple of lookalikes making mischief.”
Her statement has sparked furious backlash from royal fans, with one writing: “I’m bothered that you are perpetuating ridiculous claims. It is Catherine, it is well known that they visit that farm shop. We’ve always been told she will be resuming duties after Easter, that’s only a few weeks away.”
A second added: “I do hope you lose your BBC job over this. That’s what you deserve. Conspiracy theorists should not be doing the news. Especially not on a public supported station.”
A third chimed in: “Sonja – you’ll have the BBC’s lead disinformation officer investigating you for being a conspiracy theorist.”
The Princess of Wales, 42, is not expected to return to official royal duties until after Easter, with Kensington Palace confirming that they will not update the public as she continues to recover in peace.
It comes less than a week after Kensington Palace found themselves in the middle of a PR storm after a sweet photo shared by the Wales’s on Mother’s Day caused controversy after Princess Kate admitted editing the picture, originally taken by Prince William.
The incident caused a number of leading international picture agencies to issue a “kill notice” surrounding it, effectively removing it from their circulation.
The beautiful photo showed Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis standing on either side of their mother, with Prince George standing tall behind Princess Kate as she sat down. Kensington Palace confirmed that the original photo will not be released.
Express.co.uk has contacted Kensington Palace for comment, while a spokesperson for the BBC confirmed they will not be commenting on Mc McLaughlan’s social media posts.
