A rumor claiming that Queen Elizabeth II is dead went viral on social media, but a parliamentary official said the reports were false, BNO News reported Tuesday.
This is not the first time that rumors about the Queen’s death have circulated on the internet. Hollywood Unlocked, the website that recently interviewed Kanye West, published a post Tuesday claiming the Queen Elizabeth is dead.
Rumors spread after Hollywood Unlocked claimed ‘Queen Elizabeth is dead’
The rumors about the Queen’s death spread after Hollywood Unlocked posted a photo of her on the Instagram.
“Sources close to the Royal kingdom notified us exclusively that #QueenElizabeth has passed away,” Hollywood Unlocked wrote on Instagram. “She was scheduled to attend the wedding of British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, but was found dead. Story developing.”
People reacted quickly, as some appeared perplexed that the news of Queen Elizabeth’s death was coming from a US website rather than the official UK press. Others, meanwhile, were left wondering what the truth was.
Despite the fact that there was no official announcement from Buckingham Palace, the report quickly went viral on social media. According to BNO News, Dayo Okewale, a House of Lords chief of staff, called the report of the queen’s death “false.”
READ: What will happen when Queen Elizabeth II dies. Politico reveals U.K. government’s plan.
However, founder of Hollywood Unlocked said in a Twitter post that he stands by his sources.
“We don’t post lies and I always stand by my sources. Waiting for an official statement from the palace,” Jason Lee wrote.
Another hoax declared ‘Queen Elizabeth dead’
A Facebook post from February 17 that incorrectly declared “Queen Elizabeth dead” also gained traction following Buckingham Palace report that the Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for COVID-19.
The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s ongoing efforts to combat fake news and misinformation in its News Feed.
Queen tested positive for COVID
Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, but aides said her symptoms were “mild,” as politicians wished the country’s longest-serving monarch a speedy recovery.
“I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health,” PM Johnson said on Twitter.
