William and Kate face ‘gross invasion’ as faux AI pictures flood social media, skilled warns
Royal expert Jennie Bond has warned new tech is making it easier to create fake AI-generated images of the Royal Family that can appear genuine, fooling some fans
The royal are facing a new threat to their image coming from AI(Image: Getty Images)
The Royal Family finds itself grappling with an impossible challenge from bogus AI-created photos, an expert has warned.
The cutting-edge technology enables the creation of fake images showcasing figures such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, their kids and other royals. Numerous examples have surfaced across social media appearing authentic and deceiving unsuspecting followers.
On top of this some social media users have produced AI pictures and clips apparently showing royals endorsing commercial ventures or placed in bizarre scenarios. Royal expert Jennie Bond warns as artificial intelligence advances, it’s becoming an increasingly headache for palace officials.
The ex-BBC royal reporter said: “Yes, it really is a problem – and it seems impossible to know how to solve it. Image is important for the monarchy – they used to hate the idea that it mattered, but they are more PR savvy these days, and they concede that it does.
“If false information and lifelike pictures are circulated, their image in the public eye will be altered and quite possibly damaged,” reports the Mirror. Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have already expressed anxiety regarding AI.
The couple joined numerous celebrities earlier this year to warn about creating “superintelligent” artificial intelligence. The open letter was addressed to firms such as Google and Meta, with Harry also including a personal message in his appeal.
He stated: “The future of AI should serve humanity, not replace it. I believe the true test of progress will be not how fast we move, but how wisely we steer. There is no second chance.”
Meanwhile, back in 2024, wild conspiracy theories were rife on social media about the Princess of Wales following her abdominal surgery. When her operation was announced earlier that year in January, Kensington Palace initially stated she wouldn’t return to duties until after Easter.
However, this didn’t prevent the spread of false information. Eventually, she disclosed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and would be undergoing chemotherapy.
Jennie added: “It also seems like a gross invasion of their privacy, indeed of anyone’s privacy, if pictures that seem so real are shared. And, of course, if you’re royal, they’ll get shared big time.
“I’m not a legal expert, but it seems to me that we need tougher laws to protect our image, and we should all beware of believing what we see on social media.”
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