Buckingham Palace ‘Christmas market’ visitors ‘disappointed’ | UK | News
Tourists planning to visit the Christmas market at Buckingham Palace may want to reconsider after it was revealed that promotional photos of the supposed event were created using artificial intelligence. Images circulating on social media depicting a festive scene outside the Royal residence appear to have led large numbers of visitors to attend a non-existent event.
The London.Travelers Instagram account, which has 2.6 million followers, allegedly promoted a Christmas market in the City of Westminster and then deleted the post. Meanwhile, London tourism account LoveAndLondon on TikTok captured screenshots of the post and issued a warning to potential tourists. “Beware of AI-generated London clues; not everything you see online is real,” they wrote in a caption.
“There’s no Christmas Market at Buckingham Palace but there is a Christmas pop-up shop in the Royal Mews.”
LoveAndLondon explained: “If a London account you follow shared this, you should unfollow them because it’s a lie. “When I first saw this I thought this photo made no sense because there is a fence surrounding this part of Buckingham Palace.
“Also where are these lights hanging from? From the heavens? This photo is just AI and there is no way the Royal Family would allow us plebeians into this part of the Royal Palace. This fake news has become so widespread that they had to put it on their website that there is no Christmas market at Buckingham Palace.”
Responding to another alert on TikTok, one user admitted: “Oh my god I can’t believe I fell for this too and was actually planning to go.” A second person admitted: “Just went! Very disappointed. It’s actually their regular shop full of Christmas decorations.”
A third added: “Haha this is so crazy! I totally believed it was going to be a big deal too. Can’t trust anything you see these days!” A fourth TikTok user wrote: “Thank goodness I didn’t go, I almost dragged the whole family to that Christmas market today.”
London.Travelers has since shared another post about Christmas markets in the capital, writing: “London’s Christmas Markets are back, bringing festive cheer, twinkling lights and cozy atmospheres! Experience the magic of the season at these iconic markets, from Covent Garden to the Borough.”
These:
- Covent Garden: 12 November – 3 January
- Leicester Square: 5 November – 5 January
- Southbank Centre: 31 October – 26 December
- District Market: 1 December – 6 January
- London Bridge: 14 November – 5 January
- Greenwich: 19 November – 23 January
The palace recently announced the opening of a seasonal pop-up store through the Royal Collection Trust Shop. websiteLocated in the Royal Mews.
“This Christmas, the store in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace will reopen its doors as the Royal Mews Christmas Shop, offering visitors a truly spectacular experience in a cozy corner of the Royal Mews,” the statement said. “From 14 November until 5 January, it will bring together a selection of official royal gifts, fine food and drink from the Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household.”
The store’s description proudly states: “At the heart of the store is a full-size advent calendar, with each door displaying hand-picked limited editions and festive specials. Whether you’re looking for a souvenir to celebrate the season or a gift of royalty, the collection promises something truly special.”
Instagram user London.Travelers was invited to respond.
