The coronavirus pandemic has affected the entire world, including celebrities as well as the royal family. Amid all the panic, a few rumors surfaced that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is dead.
Tweets like “There are reports that Prince Philip is dead. First 100 people to arrive at Buckingham Palace can attend the public funeral. #RoyalFamily,” and “#PrincePhilip is dead?? What is this madness trending on Twitter today,” started surfacing on social media a while back.
To put a stop to all the hullabaloo, the palace insider reportedly confirmed Philip is “absolutely fine.”
Telegraph editor Gareth Davies told the Express: “Source close to Buckingham Palace tells me he’s absolutely fine.” In a tweet, he clarified, “I don’t know what would possess someone to start a lie like that, but stop. It’s weird and incites panic. We don’t need that right now.”
Aged 98, he has been declared ‘dead’ on social media several times in the past. Joking about it, many fans asked others to put a lid on it. “#PrincePhilip dead? That fella has died more often than Tottenham’s trophy quest,” one said and another wrote, “Good lord another Prince Phillip is dead twitter trend. That must be the fifth this year already. Might as well rename #twitter Weekend at Philip’s (Weekend at Bernie’s). #TwitterTrends #PrincePhilip.”
One Twitter user posted, “#PrincePhilip dead again? He’s regenerated more times than Seven of Nine #WeAreBorg,” and another said, “Prince Philip is dead? Again? That’s impossible because he already died in 2016, 2017, 2018, twice in 2019 and came close in 2020 but they shipped Meghan off to Canada.”
One angry fan even went on to say, “#princephilip is NOT dead…I repeat…he is NOT dead. All the nasty rumor mongers need to shut their traps & sling their hooks. Things are bad enough without shite like this circulating – bah!” and another joked, “Wait why am I only just finding out that Prince Philip has died for the 1000000000000 times again?”
Back in April 2018, Philip was admitted to hospital for a hip operation. But he soon bounced back. Last seen in public on December 24, 2019, he seemed to look healthy. However, his old age keeps springing back the same concerns time and again. Moreover, due to COVID-19, there are reports that Princess Beatrice’s Buckingham Palace reception may be canceled.
According to the Express, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said a smaller “private” ceremony may still go ahead. “Princess Beatrice and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances,” the source said, adding, “In line with government advice for the UK and beyond, the couple are reviewing their arrangements for 29th May. They are particularly conscious of government advice in relation to both the wellbeing of older family members and large gatherings of people.”
The insider further noted, “Therefore, the planned reception in the Buckingham Palace Gardens will not take place. The couple will carefully consider government advice before deciding whether a private marriage might take place amongst a small group of family and friends.”
