Prince Harry and Meghan Fans 'Are a Danger'—PR Expert

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle supporters are "part of an army of people on social media" driving conspiracy theories about Princess Kate and are a "danger to truth," a PR expert has told Newsweek.

The Princess of Wales returned to the limelight at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, after months in which social media users suggested she was missing.

Some conspiracies about Kate and her marriage to Prince William had been pushed on X, formerly Twitter, by accounts that support Harry and Meghan, raising questions about whether the actions of grassroots fans could damage the Sussexes.

Mark Borkowski, PR consultant and author of Improperganda, believes the public can distinguish between the Sussex Squad and the couple themselves—but warned their social media supporters pose a danger to truth.

"No one believes in the depths of this battle that still goes on that either party would want to seize upon health issues to fight a war," he told Newsweek.

"I think there are some lines of demarcation. Particularly the health of the king and Kate. I don't think they're deploying their troops.

"This is more about the danger of foot soldiers who are uncontrollable because they enjoy their own coverage.

"It's a danger in terms of spreading rumors, in terms of their own fame and their own ego and their own self-determination. A danger to truth.

"They're part of an army of people on social media who are driving more and more conspiracy theories."

Any close follower of the "Where Is Kate Middleton" viral social media trend in February and March will have noticed pro Harry and Meghan accounts circulating theories, particularly those relating to William and Kate's marriage.

However, an investigation by Garbage Day tracked the hashtag back to its earliest usage and found that Sussex Squad accounts had played a key role in its early adoption in late January, weeks before it hit the mainstream in February.

In the aftermath of Kate's return there are still conspiracy theories circulating including a body language edit of Prince William debunked by Newsweek.

"I think the majority of people look at this and see that there is a distressed woman there and these people who have dived in to be supporters of Harry and Meghan are looking for clickbait," Borkowski said.

"Clickbait merchants now particularly among younger people are recognised. They see them not so much as courtiers, the Harry and Meghan Camelot, but as having their own sense of destiny in terms of making themselves famous."

And elsewhere on the internet there are still people suggesting it was not Kate at Trooping at all.

"Sadly there are people on the internet picking up speed saying that she's a body double. The world is bonkers," Borkowski said.

"What this proves is how difficult it is to navigate any sense of calm. It will always be that you have good days and bad days on both sides but it will never be a constant."

Harry and Meghan responded to the news of Kate's cancer with a statement in March: "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."

Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

Do you have a question about Charles, Camilla, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.