A Christmas message from the monarch of the UK was a genuine recording and not an attempt at comedy, said the BBC in a statement released today.
The address, which was aired in the morning and the afternoon on Christmas day, began with a military band playing a Christmas carol from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, to a completely deserted courtyard. Bizarrely, given their current use in various conflict zones, the footage appeared to be filmed from a drone which flew high over the heads of the soldiers. Iran denied supplying the drone, which is normal for the Middle East country.
The recording then continued with what appeared to be a deepfake of Charles himself, against an unidentifiable background, and beside a too-perfect Christmas tree. The King delivered a meta-analysis of world religions in a statement that would not have been out of place in an anthropology lecture, ending with a wish for peace in the world, without any mention of the ongoing wars that have broken out toward the end of 2023.
"We can absolutely reassure people that despite claims in social media, the King both recorded and approved of the message that was broadcast on Christmas day." said a spokesman. "As to whether it's a joke, you will need to ask the Palace."
image: Fabrizio_65 - Pixabay