A virtual version of the Queen’s Christmas message in which she jokes about the Duke of York’s legal troubles and Boris Johnson’s sex life before doing a TikTok dance routine- created by Channel 4 to show the danger of “deepfake” technology.
The spoof speech has been created to highlight the danger, which can make it appear as if real people are speaking words that have never crossed their lips. The actress Debra Stephenson plays the synthetic monarch, with technical wizardry used to replicate the Queen’s facial features and mouth movement.
The four-minute film is intended to make a serious point about the threat posed by deep fakes. However, it also includes sharp asides that may raise eyebrows at Buckingham Palace.
“For nearly 70 years, I have kept a tradition of speaking to you at Christmas. But on the BBC I haven’t always been able speak plainly and from the heart,” the fake Queen begins. After talking of the challenge of the past 12 months, the artificial head of state has a jab at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for fleeing the UK.
“One thing that has sustained many of us is our families,” she says. “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.
“The deepfake Queen then reveals a penchant for “Netflix and Phil” with the Duke of Edinburgh before performing a TikTok dance routine, joking that “if that doesn’t get me on Strictly, I don’t know what will.”
The end is created by the visual effects studio Framestore. The “Queen” then challenges viewers to consider “whether what we see and hear is always as it seems”.
Channel 4 has broadcast an alternative Christmas message since 1993. Ian Katz, director of programmes at Channel 4, said, “Deepfake technology is the frightening new frontier in the battle between misinformation and truth. It is a powerful reminder that we can no longer trust our own eyes.”
Stephenson, is a comic actress who impersonates various characters in Dead Ringers on Radio 4. She voiced the Queen puppet in this year’s revival of Spitting Image.
