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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:
x2boys · 14/11/2021 18:10

It's Charles Birthday today ,surely she couldn't die on his Birthday ,I only know this because it's my birthday in a few days so it's always stuck in my mind

user1471462428 · 14/11/2021 18:12

Fucking hell I hope they don’t they don’t let that incompetent, waffling mess of a man announce her death. I think the queen deserves more than that.

Lovelyapplecrumble · 14/11/2021 18:30

@Pascal80

Yes, events and stories can held back by govt instruction to the media via DA notice (now called DMSA notice I believe), or just via 'phone calls from the Cabinet Office to the news rooms. The media is not independent of government - far from it. (I was a press officer for a govt dept and also worked in media)
I agree with this except there is always the possibility of a news source going rogue and publishing anyway, especially when it's a big story and not an issue of national security - eg the Sun announcing that the Queen had been in hospital, when the palace wanted that kept quiet for the time being.
PriamFarrl · 14/11/2021 18:39

@Ryannah

When the Queen’s father died the news was broadcast within 4 hours. When Princess Diana died, journalists knew within 15 minutes. I greatly doubt that the Queen’s death will be kept a secret. There’s a whole pre-prepared protocol for this exact scenario.
Diana died in public followed by journalists. When the Queen dies I hope for her sake it is in the comfort and peace of her own bed, as I would for anyone. Hopefully they can keep the news to themselves for a short while.
ohnoisaid2much · 14/11/2021 18:50

@x2boys

It's Charles Birthday today ,surely she couldn't die on his Birthday ,I only know this because it's my birthday in a few days so it's always stuck in my mind

His dad died on his anniversary so... 🤷🏼‍♀️

ememem84 · 14/11/2021 19:27

I do hope the Queen hasn’t passed away. However if she has I’ll be sad.

Crunchymum · 14/11/2021 20:06

@x2boys

It's Charles Birthday today ,surely she couldn't die on his Birthday ,I only know this because it's my birthday in a few days so it's always stuck in my mind
You can't control when you die (not that I think she is dead)

My mum's mum died on the same day she gave birth to my sibling.

A580Hojas · 14/11/2021 20:09

I haven't read the whole thread but OP do you seriously think HM's death would be kept secret? I mean REALLY? Come on and give your head a wobble.

LuluBlakey1 · 14/11/2021 20:10

She is not dead. A whole protocol swings into place when a monarch dies and hers has been rehearsed for years.
They would be preparing us for her death if it was felt to be imminent - daily bulletins carefully worded about her condition.

claymodels · 14/11/2021 20:13

Why would they wait until Monday to announce? In case people get upset about missing the strictly results Confused

Amandasummers · 14/11/2021 20:14

Why would it be kept secret though? It would surely be breaking news?

claymodels · 14/11/2021 20:17

@Ryannah

When Princess Diana died, journalists knew within 15 minutes.

That's because they were fucking there Hmm

x2boys · 14/11/2021 20:19

Oh I know @crunchymum , my comment was a bit tongue in cheekSmile

happytoday73 · 14/11/2021 20:22

Well they kept Liverpool issue today quiet for a number of hours..

SweatyYetti · 14/11/2021 20:23

I was wondering if she was at end of life and on support maybe they were going to say goodbye after the service? Who knows.

Naughtynovembertree · 14/11/2021 20:24

They might hold the news background for a few hours and then they woud announce there is no way they would spring in on Monday!

SickAndTiredAgain · 14/11/2021 20:24

@claymodels

Why would they wait until Monday to announce? In case people get upset about missing the strictly results Confused
To be fair that would be annoying.
SirensofTitan · 14/11/2021 20:33

@happytoday73

Well they kept Liverpool issue today quiet for a number of hours..
Who is they? I saw it on Twitter around lunchtime and it happened. 11am so hardly a cover up
lollipoprainbow · 14/11/2021 20:34

She was seen out in a car on Tuesday so that's pretty fast for her to have died since then !

lollipoprainbow · 14/11/2021 20:36

They would be preparing us for her death if it was felt to be imminent - daily bulletins carefully worded about her condition.

Exactly. She wouldn't go from having a back sprain to suddenly being dead !!

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 14/11/2021 20:38

@lollipoprainbow

She was seen out in a car on Tuesday so that's pretty fast for her to have died since then !
You think dying takes longer than 5 days? Confused
Theyellowflamingo · 14/11/2021 20:44

This whole thing is tasteless. Even if the ridiculous idea they’re keeping her death a secret until Monday is actually true, what does it matter? In what possible way does it affect the life of anyone outside her family if she’s died and we don’t know yet? The public will know when they need to know.

Imagine being a 95 year old widow and every time you got a cold or hurt your back strangers were speculating if you’d died, how, when, if you’d avoided your son’s birthday (WTF?!) - it’s horrible.

generalh · 14/11/2021 20:44

I was talking about this with my year 11 class on Friday. They mostly said they would look forward to the time off. Said she was old and had lived a long time.

generalh · 14/11/2021 20:47

@gukvguk

I don't think she'll make the 70th Jubilee as the decline has started but I hope she's not dead now ☹️
Just as well my LEA gave us the bank holiday for the Jubilee in September!😊
BudgeSquare · 14/11/2021 20:48

@generalh

I was talking about this with my year 11 class on Friday. They mostly said they would look forward to the time off. Said she was old and had lived a long time.
They sound like wonderful young people who give me hope for the future Confused