A BBC reporter who seemed to join with conspiracy theorists in saying a video of Princess Kate was “clearly not her” has faced calls for her to be taken off air. Footage emerged at the weekend that delighted royal fans showing the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, looking happy and relaxed as she and William visited a farm shop.
The Princess of Wales, 42, and her husband were seen visiting the Windsor Farm Shop close to their Adelaide cottage home in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
But since the video was filmed, bizarre conspiracy theories have swirled online that it is was not Kate.
Nelson Silva, 40, who captured the royal pair on camera in the film that first appeared in The Sun, told the paper those who still couldn’t believe it wasn’t the Princess were “invested in the drama”, adding “this is a video clearly showing her and William”.
However, posting on X reacting to the news coverage of Kate’s appearance, BBC reporter Sonja McLaughlan wrote: “Disturbing that newspapers like The Times are reporting this as fact. Headline ‘Kate seen in public for the first time’ when it’s clearly not her. As someone has said. Could be a couple of lookalikes making mischief.”
The BBC freelance journalist commented on a video comparing Princess Kate in the footage and old photographs of her, she added: “It’s so obviously not Kate. Some newspaper are reporting it as fact.
“But it’s not her. No conspiracy theorist but all very odd.”
Responding to Ms McLaughlan’s scepticism, GB News reports one person wrote: “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 they thought “Conspiracy theorists should not be doing the news. Especially not on a public supported station”
While another said: “Sonja,you’ll have the BBC’s lead disinformation officer investigating you for being a conspiracy theorist.”
The BBC confirmed they will not be commenting on Ms McLaughlan’s social media posts.
