Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Would it be possible in this day and age to keep a huge news story private?

200 replies

homeownerwannabe · 14/11/2021 14:37

Trying not to give a dramatic misleading title to this post and don't want to be disrespectful to the queen who I have a lot of respect for....

But...

There is rumours circulating that she has died and the news will be released on Monday. Now I'm thinking this is just conspiracy theories and there's been plenty of them about her before but would it be possible to keep something like this quiet? In a house with so many staff and the fact that there is procedures that are put in place right away (I know someone who used to cover the duty phone on rotation for when senior members of the royal family pass away) you'd think it would be leaked pretty quick?

OP posts:
ABCeasyasdohrayme · 14/11/2021 14:40

There has been rumours that she is dead going on and off for months.

With the royals it would be fairly easy to keep the news quiet though I would think, especially as she has been unwell lately, her being 'in bed' for the day or with various people coming and going wouldn't be unusual.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 14/11/2021 14:41

There are always rumours that the queen has died. So far- none of them true. People just like to yak.

Mrsjayy · 14/11/2021 14:44

I think it can be kept a secret there will be protocol I don't think she's dead though but I think she is frailer than a "strained back" .

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 14/11/2021 14:45

Stop major news outlets? Easy.
Stop it leaking on twitter etc? Harder. Too many people 'in the loop'.

ViceLikeBlip · 14/11/2021 14:45

I really can't see why this would be true. There is a very clear procedure they will follow when she does die (😭😭) so there really wouldn't be anything to be gained by withholding the information (beyond a few hours to inform all close family)

Mrsjayy · 14/11/2021 14:47

I mean how many times did Prince Philip secretly die ?

insancerre · 14/11/2021 14:47

I had a pop up notification that Boris Johnson is doing an address to the nation at 5 pm
Did anyone else see that?

Mrsjayy · 14/11/2021 14:48

No I've not seen that.

KnottyKnitting · 14/11/2021 14:49

Surely that's a report on COP26?

jelliedeells · 14/11/2021 14:49

I actually think that is one story they could keep a secret for maybe 12-24 hours. I don’t think they would though, there would be too much anger and upset.

Original poster
homeownerwannabe · 14/11/2021 14:49

I've seen the Boris 5pm thing but it said it was about cop26?

OP posts:
KittenCatcher · 14/11/2021 14:51

They interrupted all the days TV to announce the death of PP so I doubt they will leave it up to BJ to tell us during a news conference at 5pm,

supremelybaffled · 14/11/2021 14:52

Whenever I read anything remotely connected with any conspiracy theory my first question is why would they?

What would be the point? In this case, what logical and pressing reason would there be for postponing an announcement?

NadiaVulvokov · 14/11/2021 14:54

@jelliedeells

I actually think that is one story they could keep a secret for maybe 12-24 hours. I don’t think they would though, there would be too much anger and upset.
I agree with this. Only inner circle in the bedroom: food etc dropped off to a dressing room etc.

The ladies in waiting etc are drawn from people who’ve been loyal for generations. It would be easy enough to keep household staff out of the picture for a bit.

Redcrayons · 14/11/2021 14:54

Why would they wait? Surely there’s strict protocol about passing over the crown and all that.

makelovenotpetrol · 14/11/2021 14:54

@insancerre

I had a pop up notification that Boris Johnson is doing an address to the nation at 5 pm Did anyone else see that?
If the queen dies, which she hasn't, it won't be BoJo announcing it!!!!
HeartsAndClubs · 14/11/2021 14:56

It’s all bollocks.

There are very clear protocols for when the queen dies, and keeping it a secret isn’t one of them.

A, why would it be kept a secret anyway?

And B, why until Monday?

Seriously I think people who believe this shite are as bad as the ones who perpetuate it, but given we live in a social media age, it’s really easy to start a rumour circulating and to get a few hundred and then thousands jumping on the bandwagon, and before you know it it’s being circulated as truth.

CovidCorvid · 14/11/2021 14:57

@supremelybaffled

Whenever I read anything remotely connected with any conspiracy theory my first question is why would they?

What would be the point? In this case, what logical and pressing reason would there be for postponing an announcement?

I agree.

I suppose a small argument for not wanting to take the attention away from Remembrance Sunday but even if that was true before the ceremony I think by this time in the afternoon it would be announced. The royals wouldn’t want any negative publicity/backlash which may be incurred by keeping secrets. Though I agree she is entitled to privacy regarding her health.

Sparklingbrook · 14/11/2021 14:57

I think it would be possible, yes.

ronfa · 14/11/2021 14:58

Why would they keep it a secret?

FourTeaFallOut · 14/11/2021 14:58

www.nationalworld.com/news/what-happens-when-the-queen-dies-protocol-after-death-of-queen-elizabeth-and-what-is-operation-london-bridge-3430017

It might be the PM who announces it, according to this. That's not to say I think that the 5pm announcement isn't about cop but it would match with the chain of events detailed in the above link.

HeartsAndClubs · 14/11/2021 14:58

We only need to look at the kinds of Hmm “truths” which have been circulating on social media over the past couple of years.

London was going into lockdown about 3 weeks before it actually happened, then the military were moving in. Then there were tanks seen on the motorways ready to enforce the lockdown. Then prince Philip died several times.

Whenever someone posts “I saw on twitter that…” I just roll my eyes.

GertrudeBElion · 14/11/2021 14:59

@insancerre

I had a pop up notification that Boris Johnson is doing an address to the nation at 5 pm Did anyone else see that?
If ever there was motivation not to kick the bucket, avoiding that clown announcing your passing would be it.
ronfa · 14/11/2021 14:59

isn't the conference today due to COP21?

NoSquirrels · 14/11/2021 14:59

Why does anyone think this would be likely? Confused