Princess Kate’s hospital receptionist is found dead after an Australian DJs' prank phone call

DJs -  Mel Greig and Michael Christian. Photo: 2Day FM

London, UK - The receptionist at the hospital where the Duchess was receiving treatment for morning sickness is dead. She was found unconscious this morning in her home close to the King Edward VII Hospital in London.

Her death followed a hoax call to Kate's private ward by Australian DJs pretending to be Queen and Prince Charles. Ambulance crew were called to attend to an unconscious woman at the London but she was later pronounced dead. She was survived by a husband and two children.

   

Officers from Scotland Yard launched an investigation and are still trying to find out how the receptionist died. A source indicated that she may have committed suicide.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian from Australian radio station 2Day FM called the hospital pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles and the reception who is also a qualified nurse took the call.

In the call, Miss Greig impersonating the Queen, said: ‘Oh, hello there. Could I please speak to Kate please, my granddaughter?’

The receptionist thinking she was speaking to the Queen, the receptionist replied: ‘Oh yes, just hold on ma’am’.

She put the presenters through to the nurse on duty.  The duty nurse believed she was speaking to the Queen and gave out deeply personal information about Kate’s health and condition.

On Wednesday a recording of the entire conversation was played on the Sydney-based radio station 2Day FM and later transmitted throughout the UK. Yesterday, Prince Charles made a joke about the prank call during an event at Tower Bridge in London. 

In a statement from St James's Palace the duke and duchess have expressed deep shock at the death and said their "thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time".