Why it's entirely likely that fake news about the Royal Family is coming from Russia

Social media is brimming with fake news about the Royal Family. Chris Hughes explains how this is the tip of the iceberg of a massive Russian campaign of disinformation, designed to undermine the UK

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Kate Middleton (Photo: PA)

There have been few rumours that have spread with such speed and ferocity in recent years as those surrounding Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales.

We have seen outrageous, ludicrous and cruel stories appearing on social media, involving named third parties and scurrilous claims relating to the royals’ medical situation and private life.

It is quite incredible that these social media individuals are able to churn out such unsubstantiated guff and worse, that anyone actually believes it.

So why is it happening and who or what is behind it?

On Monday a Ukrainian friend contacted me to ask about a seemingly official release he had seen announcing King Charles had died.

That ridiculous claim, on bogus royal paper, had spread like wildfire globally and I was able to quickly tell my friend it was nonsense.

Ukrainian sources have since told me that although the tip of the iceberg and the most obvious ploy, it originated from the Kremlin’s intelligence agencies.