Netizens mock British media claims of China propaganda link to Kate Middleton rumours

On Monday, British news outlets cited sources in the British government to report ‘hostile states’ were fuelling misinformation about the princess

Chinese think tank commentator says he can’t imagine Beijing having ‘interest in the private affairs of the Princess of Wales. Unless, I am shown some evidence’

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Catherine, The Princess of Wales, announces she is receiving preventive chemotherapy for cancer on March 22. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Published: 12:00pm, 27 Mar 2024Updated: 4:47pm, 27 Mar 2024

Suggestions by British media outlets that propaganda machines in China, Russia and Iran were peddling online rumours, speculation and conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton to “destabilise” British society have been met with disbelief and mockery on social media.

Commenters have also questioned whether recent issues surrounding Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and her well-being were a distraction from other problems facing Britons today.

“We are just onlookers, and now we can harm Britain’s national security?” a user reacted on Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu.

“I don’t recognise her,” another user on Chinese video-sharing platform Bilibili said about Kate Middleton, adding: “I asked my boyfriend, he doesn’t either. I asked my friends on WeChat, and they don’t get it.”

A further user on Xiaohongshu said: “Of course, you can blame China for everything”.

On Monday, several British news media outlets cited sources in the British government to report that “hostile states” were fuelling misinformation about the princess.