A new video of Queen Elizabeth II have been creation rounds on social media,
leaving royal fans shocked and enraged.
The digitally-created “deep fake” version of Her Majesty’s Christmas message
stars actor Debra Stephenson through Channel 4 ahead of the monarch’s actual
holiday communication.
Stephenson’s Queen begins telling the viewing audience in the video: “On the
BBC, I haven’t forever been able to speak plainly and from the heart. So, I am
grateful to Channel 4 for giving me the opportunity to say whatever I like,
without anyone putting words in my mouth.”
The artificially rendered video pokes fun at a number of things that rolled
out in the past year, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit, Prince
Andrew’s Jeffrey Epstein scandal and even UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
It also included the character doing a TikTok dance.
Director of programs at Channel 4, Ian Katz said: “Deepfake technology is
the frightening new frontier in the battle between misinformation and truth.
This year’s Alternative Christmas Address – seemingly delivered by one of the majority
well-known and trusted figures in the nation – is a powerful reminder that we
can no longer trust our own eyes.”