View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

The Sun mistakenly published report of Prince Philip’s death ahead of ’emergency’ palace announcement

By Freddy Mayhew

The Sun mistakenly published a story claiming Prince Philip had died ahead of an ’emergency meeting’ called by Buckingham Palace this morning.

The story, which was headlined: “Prince Philip dead at 95, how did the Duke of Edinburgh die, etc etc“, was quickly taken down.

A 10am palace announcement in fact revealed that the Duke of Edinburgh was retiring from public engagements as of autumn this year.

Press Gazette understands that a Sun journalist had been updating the paper’s obituary on Prince Philip when they clicked on publish, rather than save, by mistake.

A Sun executive said: “It’s an accident that could happen to anyone, everyone here is mortified by this.”

Although removed from the website, the story is visible on Google searches.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network