A short video circulating widely on social media this week claims to show Prince William reacting in shock after a snake allegedly appeared near him during an arrival at AlUla International Airport.

The clip has been shared with dramatic captions suggesting the Prince of Wales was briefly startled as the animal moved close by, prompting a visibly surprised reaction that many online users have described as “relatable” and “unexpectedly funny”.

However, at the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation from Kensington Palace, no reference in the Court Circular, and no reporting from accredited royal correspondents to support claims that such an incident took place during any recent visit to AlUla.

Several royal watchers have also pointed out that short social media clips are often removed from their original context, edited, or filmed during unrelated events before being presented with new captions. In some cases, background footage from public walkabouts, arrivals, or rehearsals has previously been mislabelled to create a more dramatic narrative.

AlUla, a historic destination in Saudi Arabia, has hosted high-profile international visits in recent years, including cultural and diplomatic engagements involving senior figures from around the world. Any official appearance by Prince William in the region would normally be covered by established media outlets and accompanied by a clear programme of engagements.

While the video has generated amusement and thousands of comments online, royal commentators are urging viewers to treat the story cautiously until credible sources confirm when and where the footage was recorded — and whether the moment actually involved the Prince of Wales at all.