Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the Royal Philatelic society in London (file photo) PA Wire/PA Images

Royal expert dismisses claims the Queen has died as 'vicious rumours'

News of the British monarch’s demise circulated on social media last night.

A ROYAL EXPERT has rubbished an allegation that Queen Elizabeth II has died, saying that the British monarch is still alive.

Charlie Proctor, the editor-in-chief of the news website Royal Central, described claims circulating on social media about the Queen’s demise as “vicious rumours”.

The news began to circulate after a screenshot from a Whatsapp messaging group went viral late last night.

In it, an individual nicknamed ‘Gibbo’ forwarded a message – purportedly from a royal guards’ group – which claimed that the 93-year-old died from a heart attack on Sunday morning and that her death would be announced at 9.30am today.

But in a post on Royal Central, Proctor dismissed the rumour as a hoax and said the Queen is “alive and well”.

“Vicious rumours claiming that The Queen died on Sunday morning are being shared on social media,” he said.

“In this latest ‘fake news’ pandemic, an anonymous account claimed that the 93-year-old monarch died on Sunday morning, with a media blackout being in place until Monday morning.

“In actual fact, Her Majesty is enjoying a good night of sleep in anticipation of her next big engagement on Tuesday where she will host President Trump and other world leaders at Buckingham Palace for a NATO reception.”

The hoax saw tens of thousands of humorous tweets sent overnight, with ‘The Queen’ and ‘Gibbo’ both trending on Twitter for a time.

According to a 2017 piece in The Guardian, which describes what will happen in the event of the Queen’s death, plans have been in place for such an event since the 1960s.

An organising committee is said to meet up to three times a year to plan for the Queen’s funeral and a period of mourning as part of a plan known as ‘London Bridge’.

Prime minister Boris Johnson would be informed first, before news was sent to the other 15 governments where the Queen is the head of state, as well as those of the 36 countries in the Commonwealth. 

However, the public would likely find out through a newsflash to the Press Association and the world’s other media organisations – and not through a social media rumour.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
63 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Hardwicke
    Favourite Tony Hardwicke
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 9:48 PM

    Lucky to not gotten his head shot off

    101
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B9xiRspG
    Favourite B9xiRspG
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 11:38 PM

    I was wonder why they didn’t. If the car was fill of explosives…..

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul J. Redmond
    Favourite Paul J. Redmond
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 9:28 PM

    From Russia with love. And vodka

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Doyle
    Favourite John Doyle
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 9:29 PM

    As ya do. If I ever need love I’m gonna drive around the Ilac shopping centre

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Neill
    Favourite John O'Neill
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 11:43 PM

    Count your wheels afterwards.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wurley Burgoh
    Favourite Wurley Burgoh
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 10:06 PM

    What a legend. Was rooting for him as it went on.
    Keep on truckin’ Vlad

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Viking
    Favourite The Viking
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 10:02 PM

    What I want to know is.. How in God’s name did he get it past the metal detector..

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sparky
    Favourite sparky
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 10:10 PM

    @ The Viking..it was a lada he was driving..

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lazlo Saint Pierre
    Favourite Lazlo Saint Pierre
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 11:43 PM

    @The Viking: 1st gear, around 10mph

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lazlo Saint Pierre
    Favourite Lazlo Saint Pierre
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 10:11 PM

    That video is crying out for the Benny Hill theme tune!

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denise Daly
    Favourite Denise Daly
    Report
    Dec 24th 2016, 1:18 AM

    Haha totally Benny Hill style Lazlo!!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roland D Hay
    Favourite Roland D Hay
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 10:53 PM

    At least he had his hazard warning lights on…

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Jordan
    Favourite Chris Jordan
    Report
    Dec 23rd 2016, 10:42 PM

    Headline is shite. WTF.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute midlandsbased
    Favourite midlandsbased
    Report
    Dec 24th 2016, 12:42 AM

    OK… I’ll say it… Only because I’ve had a fee bottles of miller.. Should that be “rushing man” … *hands head in shame……and submits cv to the journal to help writing headlines.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Dec 24th 2016, 12:30 AM

    This is hilarious. That tall man closing both doors behind him, then – flip!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Leonard
    Favourite Cathal Leonard
    Report
    Dec 24th 2016, 5:30 AM

    He’s a real keeper

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Brown
    Favourite James Brown
    Report
    Dec 24th 2016, 7:16 AM

    I knew my girlfriend was a keeper the first time I met her….. she was wearing a huge pair of gloves.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Byrne
    Favourite Colm Byrne
    Report
    Dec 24th 2016, 1:53 AM

    So romantic

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Hannon
    Favourite Pat Hannon
    Report
    Dec 24th 2016, 11:32 AM

    And all because the lady loves Milktray…

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Armonline
    Favourite Armonline
    Report
    Dec 24th 2016, 10:54 AM

    I blame Love Actually. Liam Neeson encouraged his kid to run through airport security and suffered no consequences.

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds