UPDATE: out of respect to the family of nurse Jacintha Saldanha who has since died, we have removed the audio from this story. Our thoughts are with Jacintha’s family, the royal couple and everyone affected by this tragedy.
It’s the story everyone’s talking about today…
2DayFM radio hosts MC and Mel pretended to be Prince Charles and The Queen and prank called London’s King Edward VII Hospital where Kate Middleton is being treated for Hyperemesis Gravidarum- an acute form of morning sickness.
They asked to speak to Kate and were put through to a nurse on Kate’s ward and, well, this is what happened next….
And for more news we’re talking about, flick through the gallery:

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Comments
67 Comments so far
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I’m disturbed to find this article here. Can someone at mamamia explain how the Royal Family were pranked in this stunt? They weren’t even involved.
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Shame on the radio presenters. Their ignorance and arrogance to find humour at illness is wrong. Knowing they were royalty didn’t give them the right to use their status for a cheap prank. Poor prince William lost his mother due to media exploration . We love our royalty and find this prank sickening and deplorable. Remembering how William lost his mother should make the radio presenters think long about their future careers. You’ve cost a woman her life! This is no longer the but of a joke, this is a consequence of your actions and something you have to live with. Live and learn. This is life, life. Think long and hard. Remember.
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For some time I’ve found the popularity of cruel and tasteless ‘pranks’ in Australia, TV programs about children ‘prank’ing each other etc. rather disturbing. Perhaps now Australia will begin to realize they’re becoming a country of irresponsible immature people.
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The nurse took her own life. This wasn’t a funny joke.
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Devastating news today with the death of the nurse who took the call. I can’t begin to imagine the pressure she was under.
I don’t think it’s fair to blame the DJs involved because the ‘prank’ went past lawyers before it was broadcast so the manager should be held to account. I do think everyone involved needs to consider the ethics of the whole matter.
1. Medical information is private. It shouldn’t be broadcast to the world.
2. Saying “Oh, we Aussies are larrikins and people should just have a laugh” is bullshit. When someone says, “Oh come on, it was just a joke” generally means that the joke really wasn’t funny.
I’m a nurse. A member of my profession has lost her life and I’m devastated. My heart goes out to the family of Jacintha, her friends and colleagues.
We need to look out for each other. If you know someone who’s struggling, talk to them. Do it today.
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Just so sad…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20645838
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Well I hope they learnt their lesson because the nurse involved has reportedly committed suicide and was found dead this morning.
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SMH reports that the nurse has since commited suicide. Sad punchline if you ask me. 2DayFM really have no ethics.
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The nurse who took the phone call has committed suicide. Not so funny, is it now…
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/2012/12/08/03/00/nurse-in-royal-phone-prank-dead
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I hope the todayfm staff still think that it’s funny now that the nurse that they prank called has committed suicide
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The nurse you phoned commited suicide, hope you are all happy with that on your conscience.
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Did you read the receptionist who put the call through has committed suicide, still laughing assholes?
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Sometimes when people do something they think is harmless and or funny, they can have horrible repercussions.
Not sire what the circumstances are behind this, but none the less this is very concerning.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20645838
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This article has just come out on Sky News that the Nurse who recieved the call has taken her life
http://news.sky.com/story/1022287/royal-prank-call-nurse-commits-suicide
not so funny now…
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To everyone that is freaking out about ‘privacy’ and the nurse they ‘spoke’ to!
This is so obviously a set up, have any of you really listened to it? There’s no way a nurse would give out information, family members have to speak to the doctor as the nurse obviously can’t verify identity over the phone and would be liable.
Second: the ‘information’ given is totally generic – ‘she’s stopped vomiting, needs to stay in a quiet dark room… etc’ any idiot who’s read anything on HG would be able to say this (and in fact, even a nurse would be allowed to give out this generic could-apply-to-anyone information over the phone).
Stop freaking out about privacy laws and the ‘inappropriate conduct’ of these radio people
The most obvious bit to prove none of it really happened? Ringing a hospital switchboard and saying ‘can I talk to my granddaughter, Kate?’ …
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Another ridiculous conspiracy theory. Seriously?
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‘Ridiculous conspiracy theory’? Why’s it ridiculous to think about the information dished out by the media instead of just hoovering it up without asking questions?
Whether or not it is true, or just a set up, the whole thing is a tacky grab for ratings, and guess what? It worked.
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Tragically, the nurse who put the call through commited sucide overnight. So no, not a hoax.
Funny for some but perhaps we all need to look at these pranks from the point of view of the people who have been pranked.
Let’s hope this tragedy results in an end to this type of practice.
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I think the prank was horrible and not remotely funny. First and foremost, nurses and hospital staff have better things to do with their time than to entertain a bunch of idiots. Secondly, Catherine may be in the public eye, she may have a very fortunate life, but she is 8 weeks pregnant, incredibly ill and shouldn’t have to put up with this kind of rubbish. I’m sick of all of the coverage actually, I think it is so tasteless. Imagine having the world speculating about your weeks old pregnancy and discussing the fact that you’ve been vomiting for the past 8 weeks! “Oh what will they name it?” “Oh maybe it’s twins” “Oh she looks fragile!” FFS. What if she were to lose the baby? Is that the world’s business too? Just leave her alone.
http://thegoogleyear.blogspot.com.au/
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I hope the nurse or switchboard operator didnt get fired over this
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No apparently she took her own life…..how awful.
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News today is that the nurse who put the call through has committed suicide leaving behind two kids at Christmas. Not so funny now is it?
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Do people actually listen to this @#$%!!! Triple jjj all the way. Commercial radio has sunk to new lows. Its just a publicity stunt do you think the royal family and all their advisors hadnt thought some knobs would do this.
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I can’t actually believe how seriously people are taking this! For starters, it’s a joke all done in good humour, Mel and MC never even imagined they would get through to the nurse because they knew their accents were so terrible, let alone that they would make international headlines.
Secondly, isn’t the nurse a bit of an idiot for falling for it in the first place? Anyone with half a brain stem would realise it’s not the Queen – it sounds NOTHING like her and how often would she go out of her way to ring up some hospital? That’s what their staff are for.
Thirdly, I the hospital staff must be real dunces because if the royal family chooses to make your hospital the one they always visit, then surely you would put in protocols and security to make sure this stuff doesn’t happen?
I think a good sense of fun and humour are in order for some people. Put it on your Christmas wish list!
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So just because you dont care about having your privacy invaded, does that mean it’s ok to invade someone else´s?? Does that give you the right to assume that other people would feel the same way?? Show some empathy, seriously! Im sure if you got a “prank call” saying something like, I dont know, “your husband has had a terrible accident” and then just laughed it off you wouldn’t have the same opinion, now would you!
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And maybe what you should put on your Christmas wish list is some empathy! to understand that only because YOU wouldn’t have minded that prank, other people are allowed to feel differently!! The prank was disrespectful, and if they want to be upset about it, they have every right to be!
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If Prince Charles can have a laugh about it, why can’t anyone else? It was a JOKE. Lighten up, the world is serious enough as it is! The Palace staff seem more concerned about the whole thing than the Royals do, they actually have a sense of humour, unlike 95% of the population.
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I don’t know why people keep referring to Charles as if he’s the final arbiter on what constitutes good humour. Since when did he become the yardstick in situations that don’t even involve him dirtectly?
Despite what the headline of this article claims, the Royal Family weren’t pranked here. Two unsuspecting, unprepared nurses were.
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That radio stunt is appalling. There is a line here and they crossed it. Imagine having your privacy invaded in that way if you were sick in hospital. What’s wrong with these people?
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Anyone else think the ‘nurse’ might not be who she seems? I smell a set up.
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Yawn.
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No, I do not like this story! I shudder every time I hear the words ‘prank call’ and promptly switch stations. I did not listen to the clip here.
Why do people think it is funny or in any way acceptable, to profit from humiliating another? If teenagers do it, there is public outcry and yet radio hosts like these continually model poor social behaviour. I simply do not understand.
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The only thing I find that is not amusing here is that the phone call got to a nurse in the first place !!! Firstly, I cannot believe they do not have some form of privacy laws for the general public that prohibits releasing information over the phone. Secondly, am I to believe that the royals are so financially strapped they couldn’t afford to have one of their security detail or even support staff on site at the hospital to screen all calls asking for information about Kate. To not cover the possibility of the public/media trying to gain information – what an extraordinary level of incompetence ! How difficult would it be to instruct anyone taking calls for Kate to get the caller’s number, verify it and then return the call. Wow, someone trying to impersonate someone else in order to obtain information to which they are not entitled – never would have dreamt of that happening !
Save the outrage for those in charge of security.
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Really? Do you blame victims of robbery for not having monitored alarms too? Is the perpetrator ever at fault in your world?
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To be honest I don’t think any of it was real. That is 4:26 minutes I am never getting back.
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I really think when the nurse started to discuss private medical details they should have admitted it or hung up. Actually, I don’t think they should have done it at all, but there was a point where a line was crossed and they should have done the right thing. Nurses are compassionate and professional and work damn hard – they don’t need to be bothered by morons like that.
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As a nurse I don’t find this funny at all. You have no idea how much red tape we have to wade through every day already and I feel so so sorry for the well meaning and probably very competent nurse who had the phone conversation and was sadly foolish enough to believe that the person at the other end of the line was truthful. She had the best of intentions and now she will be crucified possibly losing her job. As a result of this stupid self serving prank any relative of a non celebrity calling up to see how their daughter/wife/sister is going in hospital will be told “it’s not policy to disclose any information”. Great work today fm you got your story and now you will make life more difficult for nurses, patients and patients families.
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I suspect that both the receptionist who put the call through and nurse who spoke are either now looking for new jobs or, at best, have a permanent black mark on their careers. This hospital is one that deals with the wealthy and powerful in London who are none to keen on having their personal details given to all and sundry. Nice present 2DAY have lined up for them just before Christmas. And yes the hospital did stuff up. Tip for anyone who gets a call from someone who claims to be a rich or powerful person – they never place calls themselves. It would be something like “this is the Private Secretary to Her Majesty. Her Majesty wishes to speak with Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge etc”
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I’m pretty sure the Queen would just ring her granddaughter in law on her mobile, but there you go.
Feel sorry for the nurse, but I must say that as a nurse myself you never, never give out information over the telephone unless a) you have the permission of the patient and b) you know who you’re talking to. I do hope the poor thing doesn’t lose her job.
I’m sure the radio hosts thought it was hilarious but nurses have got better things to do with their time than answer phone calls from time wasters.
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This was no doubt a silly prank, but I am stunned that the hospital staff fell for it. It’s not like the impressions were convincing and how often does the Queen call? You’d think a hospital that regularly treats members of the Royal family would have some kind of verification process or procedure in place.
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I actually felt a little sorry for the second nurse on the tape. She would have been told that it was the queen being transferred to her and she would have rightly assumed that the call had been verified by the hospital receptionist. You can heat that she is nervous to, thinking she was talking to HRH.
It all leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth…
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That’s a very good point – the poor dear!
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Hospitals are busy enough as it it, without having to deal with such stupid stunts.
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I feel like that radio prank was immature – first let the girl just be while she gets over this illness and second, the faux call would have taken nurses away from very important work. Not funny
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Stupid, stupid, stupid….I am embarrassed by the whole thing, as they should be. What an immature and silly thing to do.
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What a disgrace.
To her credit how gorgeous and polite, if naive, was the nurse.
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I’m sorry, I thought the prank was hilarious. But then again, I’m probably one of the very few who couldn’t give a shit about Kate’s pregnancy.
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I don’t care about Kate’s pregnancy either – but I do have enough compassion to think its extremely unfunny to invade someone’s privacy on a global level whilst they’re recuperating. I also think its incredibly unfunny to jeopardize someone else’s career, which is precisely what their ‘joke’ has done to the poor nurse. Certainly they didn’t expect to get as far as they did, but surely once they realised they could, the responsible and ethical thing to do would have been to admit what they’d done and hang up?
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Surely the whole call was a set up? No-one is that stupid to think the Queen herself would call and then carry on about the corgis?!
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RIP Dame Elisabeth. Truly an amazing woman that we should all inspire to be like.
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When I first read about it this morning, I thought it was funny, but yes, a gross invasion of privacy. Now listening to it, I felt really uncomfortable with the whole thing.
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They just showed it on CBS news in the US. I can’t believe they even got through.
I am sad to hear about dame Elizabeth. I remember Andrew Denton interviewed her, she was delightful.
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The poor nurse who spoke to them must be devastated. What might have been a quick laugh for them could actually cost a woman her job just before Christmas..
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did anyone else feel a bit awkward listening to the nurse talk about how she’s going?
I’m hoping that the other end was playing a joke as well because surely how would asking for Kate out of a huge hospital work?
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The ‘prank’ was a hideous and unfunny example of gutter ethics. Getting someone’s private medical information? How can you say that’s anything other than despicable?
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Actually….her name is now Kate Windsor. If you wish to be more formal it’s the Duchess of Cornwall.
Worst impression of The Queen and Prince Charles I’ve ever heard in my life. How Mel and MC fooled the first person who answered the phone and transferred the call is beyond me.
Very sad to hear of the passing of Dame Elizabeth. A lady very much ahead of her time, a great philanthropist and a great human being. We could do with more like her.
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Duchess of Cambridge actually!
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It’s actually Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, if we’re going to be 100% formal and correct here!
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I’ll just stick with Kate.
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Still Kate Middleton to me!
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one more correction: if she were to use a surname it would be mountbatten-windsor.
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I stand corrected all round ! Sorry !
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Prank was brilliant – I love Mel and MC !
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I have to disagree – I really dislike radio pranks where they call someone and string them along. Hamish and Andy do it (or have done) and I’ve always had to change stations. It just makes me very uncomfortable.
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Good grief, I cannot believe they got put through! It is like the Chaser getting through the APEC security all over again.
So sorry to hear about Dame Elizabeth Murdoch. She was a wonderful example of a philanthropic spirit. Hundreds of charities benefited from her work. A few of our mining magnates could learn a lesson or two from her example.
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So not funny. They need to grow up.
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I think the prank was terrible, but honestly they would never have thought they would have gotten through – especially with such terrible accents. Can’t believe the hospital didn’t have checks in place. But its not every day someone calls and says they are the Queen I suppose!
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