So, it’s safe to say The Sun’s latest front page scoop has caused a bit of controversy.
Of course, that’s nothing new for the UK tabloid but the splash on Saturday’s cover complete with headline “Their Royal Heilness” could be one of their most outrageous to date.
The story, to which the paper dedicated a whopping seven pages, centres on a photograph of a six-year-old Queen Elizabeth II mimicking the Queen Mother’s gesture in what is widely recognised as a Nazi salute.
And, unsurprisingly, the picture from 1933 (the year Hitler became chancellor of Germany) has caused a lot of outrage on social media.
It should be noted that The Sun also published a small column on page six justifying their publication of the controversial photos, and remarking that the images must be seen “in context”.
Royal Nazi shock: Why we made the decision to publish secret film http://t.co/HzNNsTuoTC pic.twitter.com/04Pb1POpWw
— The Sun (@TheSun) July 17, 2015
However, many people aren’t exactly buying that explanation…
With respect to the Sun the Nazi salute story is 81 years old and irrelevant – shall we move on with real news?
— David Buik (@truemagic68) July 18, 2015
May be unfair to suggest the Queen's a Nazi because her massively well-documented-as-a-Nazi-lover uncle showed her a salute when she was 6.
— DänielNöthing (@DanielNothing) July 17, 2015
I see the Sun are digging up an 81 year old story about a child's behaviour. The Sun, ladies and gents. That bastion of morality.
— Mr. B. (@CBellUK) July 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/Sweary_Beary/status/622297644648558592
The Queen Nazi salute story is more proof that the sun is despicable, It is run by a despicable human being. Stop buying it. #DontBuyTheSun
— Andy Hearn (@AndyHearn09) July 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/beaubodor/status/622165646911098880
So is the Queen some nazi sleeper agent? Most scandalous thing is The Sun costs 70p!
— Alan Owen (@thebrownhat) July 18, 2015
I wonder what the Sun would have said if another paper had put the Queen's Nazi salute on their front page…
— Pascal Jacquemain 🇫🇷in🇬🇧 #the5million (@jacquep) July 17, 2015
@TheSun Must of been a tricky decision for you to publish 82yo pictures. Are there not any recent pictures of Royals dressed as Nazi's?
— APB (@APB1974) July 17, 2015
Others jumped in to defend the Sun’s decision to publish the photos…
Is the Sun's splash about the Queen's 'nazi salute' interesting? Yes. Is it placed in proper context by The Sun? Yes. So, calm down
— David Banks (@DBanksy) July 17, 2015
Brilliant scoop by The Sun. Palace's 'disappointment' is ridiculous.
— Emma Hutchings (@EmmaHutchings) July 18, 2015
And then, of course, the jokes started rolling in…
EXCLUSIVE: Tomorrow's Sun newspaper exposes Shearer's Nazi salute shame. Secretly did it 260 times in career. pic.twitter.com/V1as9whscX
— D A V I D (@Blue_Bag) July 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/Twitflup/status/622295778145501184
EXCLUSIVE: Tomorrow's front page of The Sun: "BEEB COMEDIAN'S NAZI PAST" pic.twitter.com/Eg14wgDrWD
— Craig Drake (@csdrake) July 18, 2015
Oh fuck,
Look lively lads, that's the Queen driving past pic.twitter.com/VJiK99EtDP— AKADave 🍷(not a guy) (@Dahmerscookpot) July 18, 2015
it's obvious Spike Milligan was also a NAZI – they're all coming out today thanks to the Sun @mooseallain pic.twitter.com/PDROrCbcLf
— paul le comte (@five15design) July 18, 2015
Monday's Sun front page: LUFTWOOFER! Incredible Photo Surfaces of Nazi Dog Mastervillain pic.twitter.com/W3x44QPUGG
— Stuart Heritage (@stuheritage) July 17, 2015
Tuesday's Sun front page: BAMBLUTORDEN: The Sun Uncovers Ring of Evil Nazi Panda Babies pic.twitter.com/RK5R7pKgF4
— Stuart Heritage (@stuheritage) July 17, 2015
