An Australian café in San Remo, Victoria, called Beachside Bakehouse, recently played a prank on its unsuspecting customers by showcasing a fabricated AI photo featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoying a coffee on the terrace during their ‘unofficial’ royal visit to Oz. The cleverly crafted image led many patrons to believe that the royal couple had actually visited the café, with some even complimenting the staff on hosting such esteemed guests.
While some customers were quick to spot the telltale signs that the photo was digitally altered, such as the AI Prince Harry having more hair than the real one, others were completely taken in by the realistic depiction. Despite the mixed reactions, the café garnered significant attention and engagement on social media, with the post receiving over 200,000 views and being shared more than 150 times within a day.
Following the viral response, Beachside Bakehouse clarified that the image was meant as a light-hearted joke and emphasized their commitment to serving the community with quality pies, pastries, and coffee. The café also teased potential future royal visits while affirming the worthiness of their culinary offerings.
In a related development, Prince Harry commended the Australian government’s decision to prohibit social media usage by individuals under 16, labeling it as an “epic” move towards safeguarding children online. The Duchess of Sussex shared her personal struggles with online bullying during a discussion, highlighting the need for increased protection for young users on digital platforms. Additionally, Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed concerns over social media risks for children in a meeting with tech industry leaders, advocating for enhanced safeguards to mitigate harm in online spaces.
Despite recent parliamentary debates on implementing an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, MPs rejected the proposal, indicating ongoing deliberations on regulatory measures to ensure children’s safety online.
