A hilarious digitally altered version of Queen Elizabeth’s annual Christmas address was broadcast on the BBC and ITV on Friday, providing a serious message while sending the Queen’s real speech.
Queen Elizabeth II’s deepfake version hit several members of the royal family, and the Queen even danced in a Tik Tok routine. All of this was designed to warn about the ease of disinformation that can spread in the digital age.
A deepfake uses a person’s image or voice in a realistic video that usually conveys a bizarre message while presenting itself as a real broadcast.
“If there is a theme for my message today, it is trust. Trust what is genuine and what is not, ”said the false queen in the amended version that aired on Friday.
Britain’s Channel 4 said the fake video was designed as “a severe warning about advanced technology that is allowing the proliferation of false information and false news in the digital age”.
The false Queen Elizabeth II offers some vibrations, mentioning the withdrawal of Prince Harry and Meghan from royal duties and the removal of Prince André from active participation in most activities of the royal family. In the case of Meghan and Harry, she notes: “There are few things more painful than someone saying they prefer the company of Canadians.”
Buckingham Palace did not comment on the message.
The real Christmas message from the real Queen Elizabeth drew a large audience, with total views being considered her highest rating in years. It surpassed the ratings of BBC One and ITV Christmas Day.
Watch the deepfake video above.