The Daily Telegraph published an incomplete article online on Wednesday announcing the death of the Duke of Edinburgh as the still-alive prince prepared for his final day of public engagements.
The full-length report, since taken down, appeared on the newspaper’s website before Prince Philip, 96, the longest-serving consort in British history, was due to carry out his 22,219th – and final – solo engagement.
The piece read: “The Duke of Edinburgh, the longest-serving consort to a monarch in British history, has died at the age of XX, Buckingham Palace has announced.
“Prince Philip, whom the Queen described as her ‘strength and stay’ during her record-breaking reign, passed away XXXXXXX
“FILL IN DETAILS
“He will be given a royal ceremonial funeral in line with his wishes, which is expected to take place in seven days’ time.”
A note at the top of the article read: “This file needs to be a living file – and will serve Apple News as well as be the main news story. Please stick to the format below.”
Q&APrince Philip's most famous clangers
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• “Where did you get that hat?” (supposedly to the Queen at her coronation)
• “What do you gargle with, pebbles?” (speaking to singer Tom Jones)
• “I declare this thing open, whatever it is.” (in Canada in 1969)
• “Everybody was saying we must have more leisure. Now they are complaining they are unemployed.” (during the 1981 recession)
• “If it has got four legs and it is not a chair, if it has got two wings and it flies but is not an aeroplane, and if it swims and it is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it.” (at a 1986 World Wildlife Fund meeting)
• “It looks like a tart’s bedroom.” (on seeing plans for the Duke and Duchess of York’s house at Sunninghill Park in 1988)
• “Yak, yak, yak; come on, get a move on.” (shouted from the deck of Britannia in Belize in 1994 to the Queen, who was chatting to her hosts on the quayside)
• “How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to get them through the test?” (to a driving instructor in Oban, Scotland, during a 1995 walkabout)
• “Bloody silly fool!” (in 1997, referring to a Cambridge University car park attendant who did not recognise him)
• “It looks as if it was put in by an Indian.” (pointing at an old-fashioned fusebox in a factory near Edinburgh in 1999)
• “If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she’s not interested.” (on the Princess Royal)
A spokesman for the Telegraph said: “We sincerely apologise for the mistake that was made this morning, which was of course rectified immediately. We will be reviewing our publishing processes as a matter of urgency.”
It is not the first time a newspaper has prematurely announced Prince Philip’s death. The Sun made a similar error in May when the duke announced his retirement from public engagements. The tabloid published an article, which again was swiftly removed, titled: “Prince Philip dead at 95, how did the Duke of Edinburgh die, etc etc”.
During his final engagement Prince Philip will pay tribute to personnel who took part in the 1664 Global Challenge, a series of strength and endurance feats raising funds for and awareness of the Royal Marines charity.
Buckingham Palace staff have calculated he has undertaken 637 solo overseas visits to 143 countries, delivered 5,496 speeches and found time to write 14 books and carry out the role of patron for 785 organisations during his royal career.
The Queen, 91, will continue her public schedule, supported by other members of the royal family.
