We didn't expect the paparazzi to play nice when Kate Middleton's pregnancy was announced on Monday, but we assumed that the mainstream media would adhere to certain standards of privacy when the duchess was admitted to the hospital with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness.
How wrong we were.
Just one day after Kate arrived at King Edward VII Hospital in London, two radio hosts from 2Day FM, a Sydney-based station, decided to play a little prank and ring up the hospital pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. And it actually worked -- their call went through a receptionist before they were transferred to the Duchess of Cambridge's nurse.
Host Mel Grieg pretended to be the Queen while Michael Christian played the part of the Prince of Wales and the barking "corgis." The conversation went a little something like this:
Advertisement
Fake Queen: "Kate my darling, are you there?"
Real Nurse: "Good morning ma'am, this is a nurse speaking. How may I help you?"
Fake Queen: "Hello, I'm just after my granddaughter Kate, I wanted to see how her little tummy bug is going."
The nurse proceeded to divulge medical details to the "Queen" before telling her the best time for her and "Charles" to visit. "I would suggest that any time after nine o'clock would be suitable, because the doctor will be in in the morning, and will just be getting her freshened up in the morning. I would think any time after nine," Kate's nurse said. We couldn't make this stuff up.
Advertisement
Obviously, the hospital isn't too thrilled with the two-minute mix up. "This call was transferred through to a ward and a short conversation was held with one of the nursing staff," a spokesman told The Telegraph. "King Edward VII's Hospital deeply regrets this incident." John Lofthouse, the hospital's chief executive, also said that the hospital would be "reviewing [their] telephone protocols."
It's clear that the couple won't have a normal amount of privacy during the next several months (or ever, for that matter), but do you think they have a right to basic sanctuary when it comes to medical matters and the like? Or are practical jokes like the one played out by 2Day FM fair game for royals already in the public eye?
Tell us what you think in the comments section.
See more examples of the media's fascination with Kate Middleton!
Kate Middleton's Magazine Covers
Want more? Be sure to check out HuffPost Style on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram at @HuffPostStyle. -- Do you have a style story idea or tip? Email us at stylesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
