The chief of staff at the House of Lords has denied reports that the Queen has died after she tested positive for covid-19 on Sunday.
On Tuesday night, rumours of the Queen's death spread online after the celebrity internet blog Hollywood Unlocked posted a story which claimed that the Queen was dead.
“Sources close to the Royal kingdom notified us exclusively that #QueenElizabeth has passed away,” Hollywood Unlocked's post said. “She was scheduled to attend the wedding of British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, but was found dead. Story developing.”
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Dayo Okewale, chief of staff at the House of Lords, called the rumours "false" in a tweet shared on Tuesday evening.
He said: "Hollywood unlocked posting the Queen is dead???? There is no credible source that verifies this. #False".
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.
Hollywood Unlocked tweeted an apology on Wednesday afternoon after the "embarrassing" situation in which they falsely claimed that the Queen had died.
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"Our deepest apologies goes out to the #RoyalFamily and all involved in this embarrassing situation," the statement reads. "It was an accident and we're working hard to make sure that this mistake never happens again. The intern journalist was misinformed and published the draft post by mistake. - HU".
The 95-year old monarch’s diagnosis was announced on Sunday, just over a week after her son and heir to the throne Prince Charles contracted the virus for the second time.
A statement from the palace said the royal was experiencing "mild" cold-like symptoms, adding that she "expects to continue with light duties at Windsor over the coming weeks".
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"She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all appropriate guidelines," it read.
However the Queen canceled some engagements on Tuesday before the rumours from Hollywood Unlocked spread across social media.
Prince Charles’ diagnosis was announced via a twitter statement from Clarence House on Thursday 10th February. It read: “This morning the Prince of Wales has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating.
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“HRH is deeply disappointed not to be able to attend today’s events in Winchester and will look to reschedule his visit as soon as possible.
It is reported that the Queen met Charles on Tuesday 8th February before he tested positive but a royal source told PA News on Thursday that the Queen was not displaying any symptoms.
The source added at the time that the situation would be monitored.
Topics: Royal Family, News
Gregory Robinson