Prince Philip has Died

[ChipperBird]

I think the idea of an embargo is very much a myth for the senior royals - firstly it would probably not be kept anyhow, and secondly looking back at the Queen Mothers death and what we know about that we know they only found out a few minutes before announcing it to the public.

The difference today is news is expected immediately - and immediate is now, not in 5 minutes once everyone has had chance to prepare. Martine being clearly upset by the news was likely because she found out about it as she was reading it, unlike those doing news reports who found out just before going on air.

Everyone talks of there being an embargo on Diana's death announcement and they had considerably less time to prepare for that in general vs the years everyone's been wondering when Phillip would go to the pearly gates. Official sources during the night were insisting all Diana had was concussion and broken bones while also declaring the driver and Dodi dead which....not a lot of press that night seemed to be really buying. Indeed the first reports of her death were reported as rumor by the BBC till the official word confirmed.

The "ideal" point for media on Phillip passing would of been a few weeks ago at the hospital considering Charles was bidded to see him and he would of been closely monitored for vitals ect. But Phillip survived surgery he was likely to have a slim chance to come out from at his age and got a few more weeks out of it. I'm sure they knew to some degree that he was on very short borrowed time but no idea how long and likely went very quickly too. I don't think anyone would much appreciate being asked if they could at least make their death easily predictable for the 6pm News!

That and well...it is the Queens husband. She may of wished for a few moments/hours to mourn personally and let the family know before the world was aware. I don't think it's to trip up the media or anything, just that noon was when they were ready to put personal grief aside to follow protocol.