C4 mocks the Queen in ‘deepfake’ festive address
IT aims to provide a light-hearted alternative to the Queen’s official Christmas Day address to the nation.
But this year Channel 4 is offering a mockery of the monarch with jibes aimed at Prince Andrew and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as well as Boris Johnson.
A digitally created ‘ deepfake’ version of the Queen will deliver the channel’s festive message and offer a stark warning about misinformation and fake news.
The artificially rendered version of the monarch will share her thoughts on the departure of Harry and Meghan from the UK and the scandal around the Duke of York’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The fake Queen can also be seen performing a TikTok dance routine and revealing her penchant for ‘Netflix and Phil’ with her husband the
Duke of Edinburgh. The spoof Elizabeth II says: ‘One thing that has sustained many of us is our families, 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 anytime soon.
‘2020 has also been a year of heroes, such as our brave NHS workers, many of whom were forced to take incredible risks – like treating Boris Johnson – knowing at any time, as a result, they too could become pregnant.’ Family pictures surround the virtual fake Queen, played by actress Debra Stephenson, 48, as she makes the four-minute address.
Deepfake technology can be used to create convincing but manufactured video content of high-profile figures.
The artificial rendering of the Queen was devised by Framestore and directed by William Bartlett featuring a script by James Kettle.
The end of the message reveals the green screen used to fake images of Buckingham Palace and shows it was an actress pretending to be the Queen.
Channel 4’ s alternative message airs opposite the BBC’s screening of the Queen’s official broadcast at 3.25pm tomorrow.
It has previously been delivered by Doreen and Neville Lawrence, John Bercow and Quentin Crisp.
Ian Katz, director of programmes at Channel 4, said: ‘This year’s address – seemingly delivered by one of the most familiar and trusted figures in the nation – is a powerful reminder we can no longer trust our own eyes.’
‘Jibes at Harry and Meghan’