Buckingham Palace: King Charles is alive despite Russian media reports of his death

Russian media reported Monday afternoon that King Charles III had died, prompting Buckingham Palace to eventually announce that Charles was indeed alive and “continues to fulfill his work duties and attend to private affairs.”

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The report included a notice, which Russian media claimed came from Buckingham Palace, that read: “The King passed away unexpectedly yesterday afternoon,” according to The Telegraph.

It was printed on what appeared to be official stationery featuring the royal crest and was dated Monday, March 18.

The message was purportedly issued by Buckingham Palace’s Royal Communications section.

The report began to be shared by thousands when it appeared on a channel used by Vedomosti, once Russia’s most respected business newspaper, the Telegraph reported.

A photo of Charles in ceremonial military uniform was posted with the caption, “British King Charles III has died.”

Sputnik, the Russian news wire, reported: “King Charles III of Great Britain has died at the age of 75, according to media reports. There is no information about this on the Royal family website or in the British media,” The Guardian reported.

The notice was shared on Russian internet sites, including Readovka, a pro-Kremlin site with more than 2.35 million subscribers.

A television station in Ukraine picked up the rumor and posted a story on Charles’ alleged death as did Asia-Plus, a media outlet in Tajikistan.

The British Embassy in Ukraine was forced to deny rumors that Charles had died, according to The Independent.

“We would like to inform you that the news about the death of King Charles III is fake,” the embassy wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The King, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January, is undergoing treatment for the cancer and has avoided large gatherings. According to several media reports, he intends to attend this year’s Trooping the Colour, his official birthday celebration in June.

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Photos: King Charles through the years Princess Elizabeth holds her son, Prince Charles after his christening in Buckingham Palace. With her seated to the left is Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven, and right is the Prince's Great Grandmother Queen Mary. Godparents standing from left to right; Lady Brabourne, The Duke of Edinburgh (standing proxy for Prince George of Greece), King George VI, David Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Athlone (who stood proxy for the King of Norway) and Princess Margaret. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images) (PA Images via Getty Images)

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