The shopper who filmed Kate Middleton’s first public appearance since her abdominal surgery has branded cruel conspiracy theory trolls “delusional”.
Nelson Silva, 40, said he saw the Princess of Wales “with his own eyes” on Saturday when she stopped by her local farm shop in Windsor with her husband Prince William.
Millions of people breathed a collective sigh of relief as they saw Kate smiling “happy, relaxed and healthy” as she briskly exited the store with a full shopping bag.
However, others on social media continued to spread insane claims – including that the woman in the video was not the queen but was actually a body double.
BBC sports reporter Sonja McLaughlan appeared to be among those fueling the bizarre suggestion as she told her followers on X 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 In a now-deleted tweet, she even suggested that the heir to the throne could have been replaced by an actor.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 spotted visiting the Windsor Farm Shop near their home over the weekend. Pictured: The couple pictured together in October last year
Today, BBC sports reporter Sonja McLaughlan appeared to join online conspiracy theorists in claiming the woman in the video is “clearly not” the Princess of Wales
In a now-deleted tweet, the BBC reporter claimed that “it’s clearly not her” while tweeting about Kate’s appearance
Speaking for the first time since meeting the Princess of Wales in the meat department of the farm shop, Mr Silva told the Sun: “I’m not so much shocked that these comments continue, I’m just confused as to how exactly they can continue.” .
“This is a video that clearly shows her and William.” I saw her with my own eyes. It was a completely relaxed situation.
“What more do you need to fire her? I thought after the release they would be silent. But these people are so invested in the drama now.’
The father, who met the royals at the Windsor Farm Shop around midday on Saturday, believed the release of the footage would put an end to the wild rumors surrounding Kate’s health, but fears it would have the opposite effect.
After the clip surfaced, people suspected that Kate in the video was too tall for her to be, while another crazy theory claimed the footage was taken in December because there were “Christmas decorations” visible in the background.
In less than 24 hours, the body double rumors reached 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 persist. 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 with a big online platform now can’t admit they’re wrong because they seem so delusional.”
William and Kate were spotted leaving Windsor for Westminster Abbey last Monday to attend the Commonwealth Day service
Prince William and Kate were spotted together at the Windsor Farm Shop around midday on Monday
BBC freelance reporter Ms McLaughlan came under fire yesterday for appearing to fan the flames of conspiracy theorists
He called on those spreading claims online to “fire” the princess and stop spreading their unfounded “rumors and lies.”
The father, who lives in the city with his wife and daughter, took the couple in to send them back to his family in Portugal.
He first saw Will and Kate in the store, where they were “talking and laughing with the staff” before watching them walk back across some fields to make their way to their home, Adelaide Cottage.
Kate’s weekend appearance marked the first time she has been seen in public since her scheduled abdominal surgery in January.
Although Kensington Palace has set a clear timeline for the princess’s recovery – her return to the public spotlight is expected after the end of the Easter holidays – online trolls have sparked bizarre theories.
Unfounded and hurtful conspiracy theories about her have been spread online, including that she is dead, has been replaced by a lookalike, and that the Wales marriage is in trouble.
A royal source told the Telegraph: “Finally everyone can calm down.”
But last night BBC freelance reporter Ms McLaughlan came under fire for appearing to fan the flames of conspiracy theorists.
Ms McLaughlan wrote: “Disturbing that newspapers like The Times are reporting this as fact.” Headline: “Kate is seen in public for the first time” when it’s clearly not her. As someone said. Could be some doppelgangers up to mischief.”
Kate Middleton lookalike Heidi Agan (pictured) has debunked the “crazy” conspiracy theory that she was the one 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
She commented on a video comparing the princess in the footage to other previous photos of her, adding: “It’s clearly not Kate.” Some newspapers are reporting this as fact. But she isn’t. Not a conspiracy theorist, but all very strange.’
The BBC declined to comment on the matter.
The body gave rise to double claims Britain’s most “realistic” Kate Middleton lookalike is refuting “crazy” conspiracy theories that she was in the Farmshop video and not the real Princess of Wales.
Heidi Agan, 43, who has made a living impersonating royalty for more than a decade, said she 100 percent believes the footage is of Kate and William.
“There was obviously some speculation as to whether Kate and William were in this footage and the stills,” she told The Mirror.
“In fact, my own social media has gone crazy because people think it’s me, but I know that’s not the case. “I was at work at the time, so I know that’s not me . “I 100 percent believe it’s Kate Middleton and William in this video.”
“So she’s alive and we can be sure of that.” “It’s all gone too far now,” she added.