Featured Image Credit: ITV/PA
Topics: News, Prince William
Lucy Devine
Prince William found himself embroiled in a social media storm this week, when comments he made during a visit to a Ukrainian community centre were misreported online.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London on Wednesday, where they met volunteers working around the clock to secure emergency supplies for Ukrainians amid the Russian invasion.
But while speaking to a group of volunteers, a remark William made about war in Europe was mistakenly heard by one reporter - who incorrectly claimed he had heard the Duke referring to “Africa and Asia”. This was then distributed via the Press Association (PA).
Advert
It was claimed on social media that William had said it was "normal to see war and bloodshed in Africa and Asia" - but this was entirely false.
PA later removed the incorrect reference, stating it was “based on information provided by a non-PA pool reporter”.
So what exactly did the Duke say?
Well, video footage - taken by ITV - has revealed exactly what William said during the conversation.
"One conversation the prince had about the Russian invasion of a European country led to a storm of outrage on social media," said ITV's royal editor, Chris Ship.
"In the interests of fact and accuracy, we have gone back to the footage filmed on our camera and had a close listen."
In the clip, William can be heard saying: "Everyone is horrified by what they are seeing. It’s really horrifying. The news every day, it’s just, it’s almost unfathomable.
"For our generation, it’s very alien to see this in Europe. We’re all right behind you. We’re thinking about you. We feel so useless.”
One reporter has apologised for the misreporting, taking to Twitter to explain: "The Duke of Cambridge on war in Europe. He doesn’t appear to have compared it to conflicts in Africa and Asia. In the chaos, a remark he made was misheard, starting a social media storm. Apologies for reporting that online."