Yesterday, the world waited with baited breath for the royal announcement that was due at 10am UK time, or 7pm AEST. Senior royal staff had been called to an emergency meeting at Buckingham palace, so everyone knew something big, something important was happening.
Thankfully, fears of a possible royal death were abated, and the world was left hanging for a few hours to contemplate what could possibly warrant so much fuss, if not a death.
Speculation on social media was rife, with some suggesting that perhaps a royal engagement was afoot.
Many Australians turned to the internet at 7pm, and others tuned in to their televisions, eager to find out what was causing such a stir in London.
Those who tuned into Channel 9’s A Current Affair, however, got more than they bargained for when veteran presenter Tracy Grimshaw announced that the Queen was stepping down from royal duties.
Of course, this is not so – we don’t have a King Charles prospect in the immediate future, to the relief of many.
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Grimshaw quickly corrected herself that the Queen is staying put, and it is her husband, Prince Phillip who is stepping away from royal duties, no doubt under pressure to break the news through information she was being fed from 9’s correspondent in London.