A viral post on X falsely claiming that King Charles III is in critical condition has caused widespread concern. The post, shared by user @Unpaid_Pundit1 on Tuesday, misleadingly alleged that the UK monarch’s health had deteriorated following a fall. It included a fabricated screenshot of a supposed news article titled “King Charles III in Critical Condition.”
The fake article stated, “King Charles III, the UK’s reigning monarch, is in critical condition, according to Buckingham Palace. A statement from the Royal Palace claimed the King was wearing oversized socks and attempted to slide down the royal fourth hallway but lost balance and tumbled down 18 flights of stairs. The palace declined to comment on why there are 18 flights of stairs.”
In reality, King Charles III is in good health, and the X post is entirely false. The alleged news article was edited, and media has not reported any such incident on March 18. Furthermore, the user who shared the post is known for frequently posting critical content about the Royal Family.
Earlier on March 18, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III is set to visit Italy and the Vatican next month. The monarch is expected to meet Pope Francis, who has been recovering from double pneumonia since his hospitalization on February 14.
According to Buckingham Palace, King Charles will be in Italy from April 7 to 10, with the first part of the visit focusing on the Vatican and preparations for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year. Alongside Queen Camilla, he will also attend an ecumenical service on “Care for Creation” at the Sistine Chapel.
Additionally, during his visit to Italy, King Charles III is expected to engage in discussions with Vatican officials on interfaith dialogue and environmental sustainability—issues he has long championed. His visit comes at a significant time, as the Catholic Church prepares for the Jubilee Year in 2025, a major event drawing millions of pilgrims to Rome.
Beyond the Vatican, the King’s itinerary includes meetings with Italian leaders to strengthen diplomatic and cultural ties between the UK and Italy. Buckingham Palace has emphasized that the visit underscores King Charles’s commitment to fostering international relationships and supporting global efforts on climate change, a cause he has advocated for decades.
Meanwhile, misinformation about the monarch’s health continues to spread online. Royal experts caution against believing unverified social media claims, stressing the importance of relying on official statements from Buckingham Palace or reputable news sources. The false viral post serves as yet another example of how misleading content can quickly gain traction on digital platforms, causing unnecessary alarm.
Despite such rumors, King Charles III remains actively engaged in his royal duties. In the weeks leading up to his Italy visit, he is expected to attend several public engagements in the UK, reaffirming his role as head of state.
