Misinformation swirls as false reports of Union Flag protocol and King Charles III’s death spread online

On March 18, misinformation regarding the flying of the Union Flag at half-mast above Buckingham Palace circulated online, causing confusion. Social media users were quick to debunk the false claims, noting the flag was not flying at half-mast. The British Flag Institute outlines clear guidelines for flying the flag at half-mast, a practice reserved for periods of national mourning or to mark the deaths of significant figures at the monarch’s discretion. This protocol is observed during events such as the announcement of a sovereign’s death, the funerals of members of the royal family, foreign rulers, prime ministers, and on special occasions by command of the sovereign.

In a separate but equally misleading incident, Russian media outlets falsely reported the death of King Charles III, with the misinformation spreading rapidly across platforms and international borders, reaching audiences in Ukraine and Tajikistan. A pro-Kremlin Telegram channel was identified as one of the initial sources of the false claims, even sharing a fabricated document alleging the monarch’s unexpected death. The spread of this false information prompted discussions and concerns, amplified by the lack of any official statement from Buckingham Palace or credible news organizations. Russian media editorials eventually questioned the news’ validity, with speculation about the potential hacking of sources. The situation was further compounded by the circulation of memes and satirical posts across social media. Ultimately, the Russian state news agency Tass had to clarify that King Charles III was indeed alive, dismissing the rumors and highlighting the ongoing challenge of combating misinformation in the digital age.