A deep fake of Queen
Elizabeth II delivered an alternative Christmas message during which she
warned about misinformation and also touched upon some controversial topics,
including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to leave the United Kingdom. The
fake queen’s speech was aired by British broadcaster, Channel 4.

Though the channel has been airing
an “alternative” message since 1993, this year it was rather different. The
channel hired Oscar-winning
VFX studio Framestore to create
the queen’s doppelganger, the video of which was manipulated using the artificial intelligence technology.

In the five-minute video, the doppelganger spoke about Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle’s decision to move to Canada and then to Los Angeles.

“Which is why I was so saddened by the departure of Harry
and Meghan. There are few things more hurtful than someone telling you they
prefer the company of Canadians. But at least I still have my beloved Andrew
close by. It seems unlikely he’ll be heading to North America any time soon,”
she said.

Also Read: Queen Elizabeth II to go public after receiving COVID-19 vaccine

The “monarch” spoke about her son Andrew and also revealed what she
and Prince Philip have been up to in lockdown. She also broke into a TikTok
dance routine during the “address.”

She ended the speech by offering a warning against misinformation.
She warned the viewers to question “whether what we see
and hear is always what it seems.”

Channel 4 Director of Programmes Ian Katz issued a statement
saying the video was made to offer warning about fake news and misinformation.

“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 most familiar and trusted figures
in the nation — is a powerful reminder that we can no longer trust our own
eyes,” he said, CNN reported.