BBC Accidentally Tweets Queen's Death

Publish date
Thursday, 4 Jun 2015, 9:52AM

Social media and some news agencies were sent into a fluster last night after a BBC journalist tweeted that the Queen had been hospitalised.

BBC broadcast Journalist Ahmen Khawaja quickly deleted a post which had announced Queen Elizabeth had been admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London.

The tweet read: 

"BREAKING: Queen Elizabeth is being treated at King Edward 7th Hospital in London. Statement due shortly: @BBCWorld."

Another tweet later said: "'Queen Elizabrth has died [sic]':@BBCWorld".

She apologised, tweeting to her 7800 followers: "False Alarm: Have deleted previous tweets!! Phone left unattended at home. Silly prank, Apologies for upsetting anyone!"

 

 

But word of the Queen's hospitalisation spread and was picked up by some international media, such as CNN Newsource, The Independent reported.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen had in fact visited the hospital - for her annual check-up.

"This was a routine, pre-scheduled appointment, the Queen has now left hospital."

The BBC have two different explanations for the error. One was Khawaja's saying she left her phone unattended and another came from a statement saying that it was carrying out a “technical rehearsal” for what would happen if the Queen dies, and that caused the mistaken tweet to be sent.

 



The BBC carries out dress rehearsals for the event of the death of the Queen or other senior members of the Royal family at least once a year.

 

Source: NZHerald

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