Russian state media falls for ‘HMS Prince Andrew’ prank

The London Economic ^ | 3 April 2025 | Charlie Herbert

[Apparatchik]

Russian state media outlet RT published a story about the British Navy launching a ‘HMS Prince Andrew’ – not realising it was an April Fools’ joke.

On April 1, a satirical article was published by the UK Defence Journal which claimed the navy was building a new supercarrier that could carry “infinity-hundred’ aircraft and would be named after Prince Andrew.

The obviously tongue-in-cheek article said the carrier would be armed with Cold War-era Harriers or “naval Typhoons” launched via six catapults, and cost the taxpayer a modest £987.6 billion.

The piece also quoted a pretend expert from the ‘Daily Mail Comment Section’ think tank.

However, the joke article was picked up by Russian state media outlet RT who lifted lines from the piece and presented them as fact.

RT, formerly Russia Today, cited the UK Defence Journal as its source and ran the article with the title ‘Britain to Expand Navy due to ‘Russian Threat.”

The author of the original joke piece George Allison said “As part of our usual April Fools’ Day tradition, we published a clearly satirical piece about a fictional third aircraft carrier—HMS Prince Andrew—complete with absurd details like ‘go faster stripes’ and ‘crayons’. It was meant to be obviously fake, and it was written to make people laugh.”

[Apparatchik]

The author of the joke article added, “ If they took it seriously, it would highlight a lack of basic editorial scrutiny. If they knew it was satire and published it anyway, it would say something more deliberate about their intent. Either outcome would be revealing.”

[Crooked Constituent]

The HSM Prince Andrew, docked at Epstein Island

[BradyLS]

… The piece also quoted a pretend expert from the ‘Daily Mail Comment Section’ think tank.

Everyone knows boondoggles are real. So there was a fluttering shred of credibility until this line! 😄

[Red Badger]

HMS Prince Andrew would sink immediately....................

[EandH Dad]

Russia took Reagan’s SDI so seriously that it was a big part of the collapse of the USSR. Reagan knew we were decades away from the technology but convinced Russia we were producing it. They spent themselves into a hole they couldn’t get out of.

[BradyLS]

…They spent themselves into a hole they couldn’t get out of.

Sounds distressingly familiar.

[Fireone]

The never ending quest to be first to publish something, for the ‘clicks’.
True journalism died with the advent of algore’s amazing internet.

[McGruff]

The Brits are real jokers.

[JonPreston]

The same people outraged that Noem has a Rolex are fine with Zelensky having a $35M Florida estate pic.twitter.com/V2x8cnEzni— Carson Krow (@carsonkrow) March 29, 2025

[Ciexyz]

I’m glad Mr. Zelensky has a place to retire to when he’s replaced as President of Ukraine.

[mac_truck]

British military defence spending is a year round joke.

[Semper Vigilantis]

Nah, it would go around in circles chasing the younger ships.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

A fascinating choice to post. The website begs -- as so many do theae days '' "...please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing "

The whole premise is most amusing, for proving what one could expect. Journalism everywhere is easily fooled, and attempts to thrive on all sorts of what Pelosi showed us to be the "wrap up smear."

This article is a case in point. An idiot copies another idiot, a spoof is copied by another to spoof, and even real news is paraphrased and republished as if original. Seems the world's media survives by this, and of course "donate." Even the AP articles, left up in a browser long enough, develop the jolly pop up -- "if you appreciate, DONATE."

[Apparatchik]

You and this “Carson Krow” apparently have the same level of credibility (and gullibility!) as RT does. 😂 🤡

No, Ukraine's Zelensky did not buy a lavish mansion in Florida

[Apparatchik]

The website begs -- as so many do theae days '' "...please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing "

I know - it’s just awful isn’t it? I mean, who do these people think they are begging for donations for people to keep posting info of dubious veracity?

Here’s another example of a site that runs on donations.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

---- "I know - it's just awful isn't it? I mean, who do these people think they are begging for donations for people to keep posting info of dubious veracity,? Here's another example of a site that runs on donations.

Didn't need to click, for the response was expected. There is a difference, because FR is 1) not of dubious veracity though some posts are, and 2) is not pretending to be a single news outlet.

As to donations to Free Republic, here's hope that you and all on this thread assist with donations.