UK media in frenzy over emergency meeting at Buckingham Palace called by Queen’s senior aides
Reports on an emergency meeting at Buckingham Palace called by senior aides of the Queen started circulating in the British media early Thursday.
The Daily Mail reported that Lord Chamberlain and the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt, called a meeting that would involve royal household from all over the UK.
The meeting, expected to take place at 10:00am local time, reportedly brings together the Queen’s staff from such remote royal residences as Balmoral in Scotland, as well as from Windsor Castle in Berkshire and Sandringham House in Norfolk.
The Daily Mail cited sources in the household describing the abrupt manner in which the meeting was announced and its timing as “highly unusual,” meaning that it is likely that “there is something major to be disseminated.”
The Queen's entire household called to Buckingham Palace for 'highly unusual' emergency meeting https://t.co/P8rFPCMmmv
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 4, 2017
The Buckingham Palace flag is still flying at full mast after a mystery meeting sparks fears for Prince Philip https://t.co/zXTeViucTkpic.twitter.com/9DTW3LNiVv
— The Sun (@TheSun) May 4, 2017
Police pictured entering #BuckinghamPalace this morning ahead of emergency meeting https://t.co/oHwGzGOyMqpic.twitter.com/rYunRfUohj
— Mirror Royal (@MirrorRoyal) May 4, 2017
With Buckingham Palace refusing to issue any comments on the upcoming meeting, the lack of any available information sent social media into overdrive. Speculations arose that something of great significance concerning her Majesty herself or her husband, Prince Phillip, might be announced.
The Warner Stand at Lord's @HomeOfCricket is officially opened by The Duke of Edinburgh 🏏 pic.twitter.com/9tMKvIAYLm
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 3, 2017
While both royals appeared to be in good health this week – with Prince Phillip, 95, opening the new Warner Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground and the Queen meeting Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday – some social media users rushed to the assumption that Prince Philip had passed away or the Queen was going to announce her intent to abdicate.
Buckingham Palace says the Queen and Prince Phillip are "alive and well". No comment on why palace staff were called together
— CFCW NEWS (@cfcwnewsroom) May 4, 2017
Twitter Breaking news from Buckingham Palace: A meeting happened but didn't, Prince Phillip died but hasn't. Annoucement at 8 local...or not
— Nathan Platt (@nathanplatt) May 4, 2017
I am so nervous to wake up tomorrow to potentially bad news from Buckingham Palace about Queen Elizabeth or Prince Phillip 😰😰😰😰
— Samantha Ohhh (@saaamohhh) May 4, 2017
Other sources, however, suggested that the practice of calling a meeting of all household staff is not something entirely unheard of.
Meanwhile, the Buckingham Palace press service told the media that neither the Queen nor Prince Philip have died.
“You could safely assume the Queen and Prince Philip are not dead,” a palace press officer told a TVNZ reporter.