Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, announced in a video message last week that she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and was “doing well and getting stronger every day,” ending widespread speculation and rumors about her whereabouts. But a new conspiracy theory has emerged online that her video may be an “artificial intelligence (AI)-powered deepfake.”

Kate Middleton has been dominating headlines around the world since stepping out of the spotlight since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, sparking rumors and bizarre conspiracy theories about her whereabouts.

But on March 23, the Princess of Wales ended all speculation by revealing in a video posted by Kensington Palace that she was undergoing cancer treatment.

In the video, Kate sits on a bench in the gardens of Windsor Palace, with cherry blossoms and daffodils in the background. She wore a black and white striped sweater with blue jeans and her hair was loose.

she says When she had abdominal surgery, she didn’t know she had cancer.

“However, post-surgery tests revealed that cancer was already present. Therefore, my medical team recommended that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of treatment.”

However, the video information has sparked new conspiracy theories on social media, suggesting that the video may be an “artificial intelligence deepfake”, with some users even questioning why the leaves or grass in the background are not moving.

this AFP Some social media users also posted a slowed-down version of the video, saying it had been “digitally manipulated”, the report said.

These claims have not been officially confirmed.

Some others also took issue with the lack of dimples on her cheeks, which are prominent in other photos of the princess.

One social media user posted on X, “Is this real or AI generated? Watch background?”

Another user commented: “Sorry, Windsor, Kate Middleton (and) the traditional media – I still won’t buy what you’re selling.”

“Not sorry actually – you all read Boy Who Cried Wolf right?” another tweeted.

Another social media user tweeted, “‘Kategate’ intrigues me; so-called photo manipulation that allegedly faked a family photo with Kate Middleton’s face on the cover of Vogue . Now Kate has announced that she is battling cancer, allegedly with an AI video. This part stood out to me…”

After she announced she had cancer, Britain’s King Charles III said he was “extremely proud” of his daughter-in-law for having the courage to announce her diagnosis in public.

Also sending their blessings and support to Kate were Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden.

The princess said she was “extremely touched” by the public’s “warmth and support” and was “grateful” for understanding their request for privacy while she underwent treatment.

Kate Middleton also highlighted how she took the time to explain the situation to her three children before going public with her diagnosis.

The video message comes days after Britain’s The Sun newspaper published photos and videos of the Princess of Wales “happy, relaxed and healthy” with her husband at a farm shop in Windsor.

However, eagle-eyed social media users pointed out some issues with the photo of the royal couple, with some even claiming the woman was a stand-in for Kate Middleton.

In Kate Middleton’s long absence, rumors of an affair between Prince William and Sarah Rose Hanbury, Marchioness of Cholmondeley, have also surfaced.

But Rose Hanbury finally broke her silence on the alleged speculation.

She is a close friend of Prince William and Kate Middleton, she told the outlet business insider“The rumors are completely false.”

Earlier this month, major news outlets retracted a photo of Kate Middleton and her children posted during Mother’s Day in the UK on March 10, claiming the photo had been edited or generated by artificial intelligence , speculation about her disappearance intensified.

She apologized for the “mess” of the photo and said “like many amateur photographers, I occasionally try to edit”.

(With input from AFP)