A pair of Aussie DJS managed to convince a London hospital that they were Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. The Daily Shift’s Aoife Bennett reports…
Kate Middleton
Two Australian DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, have prank-called the hospital where Kate Middleton is being treated for morning sickness.
The DJs, from Sydney-based station 2day FM, posed as the Queen and Prince Charles and asked to speak directly to the Duchess of Cambridge. They were told she was resting at the time of the phone call early on Tuesday morning.
The presenters of the station’s Summer 30 show successfully got through to Kate’s nurse at King Edward III Hospital in London and had a brief discussion with the nurse about confidential details such as Kate’s condition, a suitable visiting time (they were advised to call after 9am) and when Kate’s husband, Prince William, had left the hospital the previous night.
The pair labelled it on the show as one of the best pranks they had pulled off. “We were very surprised that our call was put through, we thought we’d be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents.”
The hospital has issued a statement confirming the hoax phone call took place, and says it deeply regrets the incident. John Lofthouse, chief executive at the hospital, says “We take patient confidentiality extremely seriously and we are now reviewing our telephone protocols.”
The radio station has also issued an apology on its official Twitter page: ”2day FM sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused by the enquiry to Kate’s hospital, the radio segment was done with light-hearted intentions, we wish Kate and her family all the best and we’re glad to hear she’s doing well.”
The duchess is recovering in hospital after severe morning sickness forced the Royal Family to reveal her pregnancy before her 12-week scan. Bets are on for the name and gender of the child, which is due next summer.
Listen to the phone call in its entirety here.
