Are you SURE this is Charles II? | WTF: Daily Mail's historical howler...

Are you SURE this is Charles II?

WTF: Daily Mail's historical howler...

WTF: Midweek special

The Daily Mail has always been quick to criticise those who don't share its proud sense of British history.

But the paper's website has today made a huge howler, illustrating a story about King Charles II – a man – with a picture of the comedian – and woman – Bridget Christie.

The image comes from Christie's 2008 Edinburgh show, The Court Of King Charles II The Second, when she drew on a fake moustache and beard and was mocked up as if posing on horse in a portrait.

MailOnline today used the picture for a panel explaining the history of Charles II – 'the king who spent much of his time trying to hide' – as part of an article about Malmesbury House in Salisbury, which has gone on the market for £5million. Built in 1416, Charles II –  left as he actually looked – lived there in 1665 after fleeing London to escape the plague.

Christie said: 'This is the best thing that's ever happened to me, both personally or professionally. The more you think about it the better it gets.

'Firstly, I'd have thought that the picture editor would have noticed that it is a photograph of an actual person's face, not a painting, and of course there weren't any cameras in Charles II's day.

'Secondly, look at my costume (just some old curtains crudely cut up). It's in such contrast to the genuine portrait on the same page - someone should've noticed that really, but I suppose he is meant to be in battle.

'Oh yes, the other thing is that it's obviously a woman with a moustache drawn on.

'It gets better if you scroll down to the comments section too. Someone has put "I love the snooty expression on Charles II's face."'

By coincidence, Christie – who won the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award at the Fringe last year – used to work for the Daily Mail, on the diary column. Her experiences formed the basis for her 2009 show My Daily Mail Hell.

The article was edited at lunchtime today; first to include the clumsy caption: 'Charles II was one of the most significant monarchs in British history - but is not immune from satire. Here he is played by the comedienne Bridget Christie in a sketch show.' The image was later removed completely.

Published: 18 Feb 2014

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