How should the Royals respond to TikTok conspiracies? | The News Agents

Even after Kate Middleton appeared IRL at a local Windsor farm shop, the Tiktok conspiracy theories continued. Was it really Kate? Was the photo staged? Why did the video look different to the still image? On and on.

The Royals have always generated frenzied gossip. What was once shared over a neighbourly picket fence is now just dispersed online. But does that change how the Royals should respond? Should they hold their nerve or feed the beast? We talk to Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt.

Later, EU leaders have caved into the demands of European farmers by imposing higher tariffs on Ukrainian imports. Are they more scared of Putin or their own pitchfork protesters? And what will it mean for the war?

#news #politics #katemiddleton #royalfamily #conspiracy #putin #farmers #ukraine #NewsAgents #EmilyMaitlis #JonSopel #LewisGoodall

Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – three of the UK’s top journalists – host a brand-new daily news podcast: The News Agents.

They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news – and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed!

Episodes are available every weekday afternoon.

The News Agents is a Global Player Original podcast and a Persephonica production.

[nickdoughty]

Sounds like William's expectations for his family are incompatible with the way the Royal Family is expected to perform. William may have to redefine the Monarchy to be lower profile, less extravagant etc. Get a real job and just appear at national events.

[wolfeflambe]

I have no idea why the media fawns over social media as it’s the best thing since sliced bread. The majority of users are bots arguing with one another.

[martinamckeown.]

Blame Meghan, it’s usually her fault🙄

[oldschool]

Why the f do people still think the royal family are of any value? It says a lot about the level of intelligence in this country

[nicola.]

I think the drama with the Royal family has been fascinating, it seems that it was inflamed by Americans on social media and you could see how accounts would repeat the same inflammatory rumours with no proof other than being touted as a ‘blind item from a source’ with zero due diligence. It became more inflamed when the papers, like you said, covered it and they would then say how that was confirmation - when it was just confirmation of their little echo chamber. It would be fascinating to see someone plot which accounts were the ones spreading rumours as they often were cut and paste posts.
This is a new era where as long as something is repeated with authority and a knowing wink, it gets passed on as the truth - and they’ve learnt that from populism at the cost of common sense

[LeoThompson-ekzu]

Interesting topic, but I still watch and think " Lewis really needs a comb".

[localshaman]

"We know Will wants privacy for himself and those closest to him" - We know Will threw his brother and Meghan under the bus to keep the press off their own backs.

[andrewta]

Sad about the media speculation in light of news today. Clearly the news was prompted by some filthy threat of a news release - no way did Kate want to release than voluntarily. Sometimes the vacuum should be filled with respect.

[rohiniguiland]

The bottom line is this all they have to do is have her walk outside live. Right now only a live proof of life will end this. Without this there will be speculation. It is also how interesting how everyone now realize how much privacy is important.

[buzzukfiftythree]

It routinely takes three months or more to fully recover from most major surgeries. My other half had surgery back in late September last year and still lacks pre-op energy levels. The press are frustrated that the Wales’s have chosen to keep the diagnosis private. Surely that is their prerogative to do so. I’m ambivalent about the Royals, but feel they should be left alone for the time being.

[janbabs]

The same way all of us should respond. Ignore it all.

[Frithogar]

The 1994 Budapest Memorandum, where Ukraine was assured its borders would be protected if it gave up its nuclear weapons by Russia, the USA and the UK. The lesson to the world is that any of those three countries' words are worthless when push comes to shove.

[ffotograffydd]

No need to respond to silly conspiracy theories. Just ignore them.

[bregawn]

That there are such things as 'royal correspondents' explains this nonsense

[mrchoochoohead]

can we just go back to internet of 2006/2007?

[miakeogh]

Being Irish I think Tatcher should definitely be there an awful awful woman.

[samanthajoan]

It's hilarious how this show is trying to position itself as "high brow" or intellectual while they recite palace talking points. Certainly no journalism to be seen here! And I found it funny how Emily, who always seems to have a deep tan (hasn't she ever heard of skin damage??) from tropical locales, apparently thinks everyone else gets to constantly be on vacation (she said we would all expect to be able to not work for 3 months if we had surgery)! I wonder if William is involved with any organizations fighting for EVERYONE to get time off whenever they want it, like he and Kate do, or at least to be able to have paid medical leave like he and his wife take for granted?? I highly doubt it. What a joke. And as for his claims to care about homelessness, why is the homeless man he always poses with, Dave, STILL homeless???

[GJWielinga]

What if Prince William is just a rather inflexible guy?

[HelenIngram-rj]

Thatcher deserves to be placed among them. Satire? huh!

[valeriestephenson]

what makes you think that the royal family does nothing, just be seen. educate yourself.