Royal Navy officials admitted that they have, mistakenly, released a WhatsApp message that sparked a rumour that the Queen had died of a heart attack.
The leaked message went viral on Sunday when a screenshot from a WhatsApp group chat was posted on Facebook and Twitter. The message featured a conversation believed to be between military personnel.
In the leaked screenshot, a person, named ‘Gibbo’, wrote: “Queens passed away this morning, heart attack, being announced 930 AM tomorrow (sic).” In a message that appears to give four colleagues a drill, Gibbo, said: “Channel dash 0800 tomorrow in full number 1s, in your black kit bag you need: 1 set of 3s 1 set of 4s Underwear and socks for 2 weeks (sic).”
However, after the blunder went viral it has now been revealed as a military drill at a Royal Navy base, The News reports. Personnel based at the Royal Navy Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton had been practising for an Operation London Bridge recall – the codename used for when the Queen dies.
It is thought that someone was sent the message and believed it to be real then forwarded it onto another.
Earlier, Royal Central editor Charlie Proctor took to Twitter to unfound the rumours, writing: "I see we have reached that time of year where I have to dispel rumours of HM’s passing.. She is alive and well and is very much looking forward to hosting President Trump and other world leaders at Buckingham Place on Tuesday for the NATO reception."
According to "Mirror', If the Monarch does die during the night her death will not be reported until 8am, at which time her portrait will be displayed on the BBC accompanied by the national anthem - as happened following the death of Princess Diana in 1997. The BBC will suspend all programming and screen BBC One coverage of the event, and while other channels are not required to interrupt regular scheduling it's likely that they will follow a similar plan.
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