Royal Watch News

Prince William 'furious' at Australian radio prank

Dec 6, 2012, 12:02 GMT

Prince William

Britain's Prince William was left fuming after an Australian radio prank about the Duchess of Cambridge.

The 30-year-old royal was said to be 'furious' when radio hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christian tricked a nurse at London's King Edward VII hospital into divulging confidential information about his pregnant wife's condition while she was being treated for acute morning sickness.

The hoax phone call - which occurred at 5.30 am yesterday (05.12.12) - saw the 2Day FM Sydney radio station jokers con the nurse on duty into thinking they were Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles to get an update on Catherine's health.

A palace source told The Mirror newspaper: 'There is a lot of anger about this. Prince William was said to be furious when he found out.

'Kate is vulnerable and weak at the moment and these people think it's funny to make a joke out of it?'

Radio bosses have since issued an apology, claiming the pranksters had 'light-hearted intentions', but the breach of security within the hospital - which the royal family have visited for decades - is a real cause for alarm.

King Edward VII chief executive John Lofthouse insisted the hospital would be reviewing their phone protocols as a result.

Dickie Arbiter, the queen's former press secretary, commented: 'This is a shocking breach of security. The royal family have been clients of the King Edward VII for many, many years and it beggars belief that a member of the public could call up and obtain details of the duchess' medical condition in this way.

'Where on earth were the checks and balances? The hospital will be livid at what has happened and I am sure the palace will be demanding answers.'

Catherine - who is also known as her maiden name of Kate Middleton - has now been discharged from hospital.