The whirl of conspiracy theories surrounding Catherine, Princess of Wales, took a dark turn last week when researchers in Britain revealed that a Russian disinformation operation played a role in spreading false claims about her before she disclosed her cancer diagnosis.
Martin Innes, an expert on digital disinformation at Cardiff University, and his team tracked 45 social media accounts that posted spurious information about Catherine to a Kremlin-linked network known for spreading divisive stories. This operation aimed to deepen societal divisions, erode trust in institutions, and create chaos by fueling rumors and speculation about the British royal family.
The motive behind this disinformation campaign was likely both commercial and political, as the Russian network sought to boost its own traffic statistics and follower counts by amplifying posts about Catherine. This comes as no surprise, given Russia’s history of undermining countries and individuals at odds with the Kremlin.
The Daily Telegraph reported concerns from British officials that Russia, along with China and Iran, were fueling disinformation about Catherine to destabilize the country. This revelation has prompted calls for vigilance in verifying information and being skeptical of online sources.
Kensington Palace declined to comment on Russia’s role in the recent rumormongering, emphasizing the need for privacy for Catherine and her family during this difficult time. The palace has urged the public and the media to respect their privacy after Catherine’s cancer diagnosis was made public.
The spread of rumors about Catherine’s health, both by state actors and other online sources, highlights the challenges of combating disinformation in the digital age. As awareness of Russian disinformation campaigns grows, so does the need for increased vigilance and critical thinking when consuming information online.
The impact of these campaigns, whether for profit or political gain, can be far-reaching and damaging. As researchers and governments work to combat disinformation, the public must remain vigilant and discerning in the face of online manipulation and falsehoods.
