London, UK — In a historic and somber turn of events, Prince Harry has ascended to the throne as King Harry V following the passing of King Charles III this morning. The sudden transition marks a significant moment in British history as the monarchy undergoes an unexpected change in leadership.
King Charles III, who had been facing health challenges, passed away earlier today, leaving the nation in mourning. In accordance with royal protocol, Prince Harry has been declared the new monarch, taking on the title King Harry V.
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, as the public and royal watchers come to terms with the rapid succession. King Harry V, known for his dynamic personality and modern outlook, is expected to bring a new era to the monarchy.
Messages of condolence and support are pouring in from around the world as the royal family grieves the loss of King Charles III and prepares for the formal ceremonies and processes that accompany the ascension of a new king.
Details regarding the upcoming coronation and the immediate plans for King Harry V’s reign are yet to be announced. The nation, while mourning the loss of King Charles III, is also looking forward to the future under the leadership of King Harry V, hoping for stability and continuity during this time of transition.
A false notice said to have been released by Buckingham Palace wrote: ‘The King passed away unexpectedly yesterday afternoon.’
The new chapter in the thorny relationship between the media and Britain’s royal family has a Russian disinformation angle amidst concerns about King Charles’s health.
Fake news about the death of King Charles III were spread on Monday by Russian pro-Kremlin Telegram channels such as Mash and Readovka, which have millions of followers, and several media outlets such as Sputnik, sanctioned by EU for propaganda.
A screenshot with a fake statement attributed to the Buckingham Palace was shared as proof. The file was closely modelled on the palace’s announcement of late Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
There were also speculations on the social media platform X, including mentions of flags at half-mast in government buildings, circulating and fuelling the rumours before the fake news went viral.
Disinformation travelled quickly, reaching other countries even though there was no official confirmation or announcement from the Royal Family.
After it was reposted in Ukraine, the British Embassy published a statement denying the fake news. “We would like to inform you that the news about the death of King Charles III is fake.” The same situation occurred in Azerbaijan.
Conspiracy theories about the Royal Family have been spreading recently due to the absence of its members from the public because of health issue.
The Vulture traced the origin of the fake news to the post on a Pakistani outlet from 16 March, it was picked up by X accounts regularly sharing conspiracy theories.