A enchanting image on social media of a cozy Christmas market complete with twinkling lights, wooden stalls, and a towering festive tree has captivated millions online, but it’s all a hoax: the market doesn’t exist, and it’s never been planned in front of Buckingham Palace.
The deceptive photos of Buckingham Palace
The AI-generated photos, first shared on Instagram by accounts like londoncity.best, show a magical winter scene directly outside the royal residence, with claims the market runs from November 14 to January 5. They quickly spread across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, drawing in locals and tourists eager for holiday cheer amid scents of mulled wine and roasted almonds that, in reality, were nowhere to be found.
Disappointment on the ground
Excited visitors arrived at the palace forecourt only to encounter barriers, selfie sticks, and empty space—no stalls, no lights, no festive frenzy. The BBC reported on the fallout, interviewing baffled tourists who had traveled specifically for the event, while even travel bloggers and leisure tip profiles unwittingly amplified the fakes by sharing the images without verification.
Royal household clarification
In response to the frenzy, the British royal family addressed the misinformation on the Royal Mews Christmas Shop website, emphasizing that their pop-up store in the palace stables sells official festive items from the Royal Collection Trust but is not a market. A stark notice reads: “There will be no Christmas market at Buckingham Palace.”
Source: BBC
