The buyer who filmed Kate Middleton’s first public appearance since undergoing abdominal surgery has branded cruel conspiracy theory trolls “delusional”.
Nelson Silva, 40, said he saw the Princess of Wales “with my own eyes” on Saturday as she visited her local farm shop in Windsor alongside her husband Prince William.
Millions of people breathed a collective sigh of relief when they saw a “happy, relaxed and healthy” Kate smiling as she briskly walked away from the store holding a full shopping bag.
However, others on social media continued to make wild claims, including that the woman in the video was not the royal but in fact a lookalike.
BBC sports journalist Sonja McLaughlan appeared to be among those fueling the bizarre suggestion when she told her X followers that it was “obviously not Kate” in the clip. In a now-deleted tweet, she even suggested that the heir to the throne could have been replaced by an actor.
Prince William and Kate were seen this weekend visiting the Windsor Farm Shop near their home. Pictured: The couple photographed together in October last year
BBC sports journalist Sonja McLaughlan today appeared to join conspiracy theorists online, saying the woman in the video was “clearly not” the Princess of Wales.
In a now-deleted tweet, the BBC journalist claimed “it’s clearly not her” when tweeting about Kate’s appearance.
Speaking for the first time since meeting the Princess of Wales in the meat section of the farm store, Mr Silva told The Sun: ‘I’m not so much shocked that these comments have continued, I don’t I just don’t understand how exactly they can continue.
“It’s a video clearly showing her and William. I saw them with my own eyes. It was a completely relaxed situation.
“What more do you need to fire her?” I thought after this came out they would shut up. But these people are so invested in the drama now.
The father, who bumped into the royal family around midday on Saturday at Windsor Farm Shop, thought releasing the footage would put an abrupt end to the wild rumors about Kate’s health, but fears it could have the opposite effect.
After the clip was released, people suggested that Kate was too tall in the video for it to be her, while another crazy theory claimed that the footage was recorded in December because “Christmas decorations” were up. background.
In less than 24 hours, body doubt rumors garnered more than 12 million views on X and more than 11 million on TikTok.
The Windsor local said he was “shocked” and “confused” as to why the conspiracy theories persisted. He said he saw the future king and queen with his own eyes and “it was a completely relaxed situation.”
“Even famous people are guilty,” Mr. Silva added. “People who have a big online platform can’t admit they’re wrong now because they seem so delusional.”
William and Kate were spotted leaving Windsor for Westminster Abbey to attend the Commonwealth service last Monday.
Prince William and Kate were seen together at Windsor Farm Shop around midday on Monday.
Independent BBC journalist Ms McLaughlan was criticized yesterday for appearing to fan the flames of conspiracy theorists.
He called on those making claims online to “fire” the princess and stop shutting down their baseless “rumors and lies”.
The father, who lives in the town with his wife and daughter, had registered the couple to send them back to his family in Portugal.
He first saw Will and Kate inside the store, where they were “talking to staff and laughing”, before watching them walk back through fields towards their home, Adelaide Cottage.
Kate’s appearance at the weekend marked the first time she had been seen in public since undergoing planned abdominal surgery in January.
Although Kensington Palace has set a clear timetable for the princess’s recovery – with her return to the public spotlight expected after the Easter break – online trolls have sparked bizarre theories.
Baseless and hurtful conspiracy theories spread about her online included that she is dead, that she has been replaced by a look-alike, or that Wales’ marriage is in trouble.
A royal source told the Telegraph: “Finally everyone can calm down.”
Yet last night independent BBC journalist Ms McLaughlan was criticized for appearing to fan the flames of conspiracy theorists.
Ms McLaughlan wrote: “It is disturbing that newspapers like the Times are reporting this as fact. Title ‘Kate seen in public for the first time’ when it’s clearly not her. Like someone said. It could be a few lookalikes getting into mischief.
Kate Middleton lookalike Heidi Agan (pictured) has shut down the “crazy” conspiracy theory that it was her in a farm shop video of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Heidi is seen with a Prince William lookalike who bears a striking resemblance to the future king
Commenting on a video comparing the princess in the images to other past photos of herself, she added: “It’s obviously not Kate. Some newspapers are reporting that as fact. But it’s not her. No conspiracy theorists, but all very strange.
The BBC declined to comment on the matter.
The body’s dual claims led Britain’s “most realistic” Kate Middleton lookalike has shut down “crazy” conspiracy theories that it’s her in the farm shop video instead of the real Princess of Wales.
Heidi Agan, 43, who has made money posing as royals for more than a decade, said she “100%” believed it was Kate and William in the images .
“There’s obviously been speculation about whether it was Kate and William in those images and photos,” she told the Mirror.
“Actually, my own social media has gone crazy because people think it’s me, but I know it’s not. I was at work at the time so I know it’s not me. I 100% believe it’s Kate Middleton and William in this video.
“So she is alive, and we can be sure of that. It’s all gone too far now,” she added.