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'Prince Philip dead at 95, etc etc,' The Sun mistakenly publishes

After a morning of speculation over whatever was happening at Buckingham Palace, British tabloid ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

11.42 4 May 2017


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'Prince Philip dead at...

'Prince Philip dead at 95, etc etc,' The Sun mistakenly publishes

Newstalk
Newstalk

11.42 4 May 2017


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After a morning of speculation over whatever was happening at Buckingham Palace, British tabloid newspaper The Sun jumped the gun when a presumably accidental publishing saw Prince Philip declared dead.

Rumour mills were in overdrive with theories as to why Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II had called an emergency meeting at her official residence in Buckingham Palace. Everything, from a royal engagement of Prince Harry to Suits actress Meghan Markle, to an abdication from the throne after 65 years of service, was mooted on social media.

At 95, and having experienced health problems in the last year, obit writers around the world were likely polishing off their tributes to the monarch’s husband, waiting in click-baiting anticipation to be the first to get the word out had rumours of his death proven correct.

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Instead, the palace announced that Prince Philip is officially retiring from public appearances, much to the dismay of fans of his decades of politically incorrect gaffes.

But over at The Sun, part of Rupert Murdoch’s tabloid empire, journalist Brittany Vonow saw her pre-written piece go live on its website, with a headline screaming: “Prince Philip dead at 95, how did the Duke of Edinburgh die, etc etc.”

French media also accidentally declared the Duke dead yesterday evening, despite Prince Philip having been on public duty yesterday; the 95-year-old had officially opened a new stand at Lord’s cricket ground while his wife held a meeting with Theresa May at Buckingham Palace.

Responding to its blunder, The Sun quickly edited the online piece to an explainer on who the Duke of Edinburgh is. almost 30 mins after the mistake. 

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