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FULL AUDIO: Listen to the prank call on Kate Middleton's nurse

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The prank call that fooled Kate’s nurse

3News NZ

Police officers stand outside the King Edward VII hospital in central London (Reuters)

Police officers stand outside the King Edward VII hospital in central London (Reuters)

By Danica Kirka

Two Australian radio disc jockeys apologised Wednesday after impersonating Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles in a prank call and getting a London hospital to tell them all about Kate Middleton's condition.

The King Edward VII hospital in London acknowledged that the Australian radio station made the hoax call to the hospital in the early hours Tuesday - and that the hospital fell for it.

The 30-year-old Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant and is being treated at the hospital for severe morning sickness.

A woman using the often-mimicked voice of Britain's monarch asked after the duchess' health - and was told by a nurse that Kate "hasn't had any retching with me and she's been sleeping on and off."

"She's sleeping at the moment and she has had an uneventful night. She's been given some fluids. She's stable at the moment," the kindly nurse informed the supposed queen and prince on the station's recording. A dog yaps in the background while the alleged queen and prince talk about travelling to the hospital to check in on the patient.

"I would suggest that any time after 9 o'clock will be suitable to visit," the nurse said. "We'll be getting her freshened up."

The duchess is married to the queen's grandson, Prince William.

The hospital says the call had been transferred to the ward and the conversation was held with one of its nursing staff. Its telephone protocols are now being reviewed, the hospital said in a statement.

The Australian station 2DayFM placed the recording of the conversation on its website.

Australian radio personalities Mel Greig and Michael Christian later apologised for the hoax - along with their station.

"We were very surprised that our call was put through. We thought we'd be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents," they said in a joint statement with the station. "We're very sorry if we've caused any issues and we're glad to hear that Kate is doing well."

The duchess is spending her third day in the hospital. William visited his wife at the hospital on Wednesday, while media from around the world camped outside, seeking any news on the royal pregnancy.

Officials from St. James's Palace have said the duchess is not yet 12 weeks pregnant with the couple's first child.

AP

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Comments

10/12/2012 9:41:03 a.m.

carole wrote:

Pregnancy before 3 months always a dodgy time and obviously she was de hydrating why they decided to give her a spell in hospital! This Australian prank should never have got through in the first place and why the Indian nurse committed suicide is another matter it just tipped the balance for her. Why it should occur at this time was just coincidence but the truth of this has not been available to debate. So they like us to think it was because of the prank. Such none sense and I wish the media were only given half the story to us does not help the couple who did the Prank as wrong as it was. For this they will have to be punished perhaps a lesson on sensitivity !

8/12/2012 1:43:10 p.m.

jan.. wrote:

Should have thrown the Australian radio dics jockeys morons in jail for disciplinary over statements of the Royal family, where an apology is not good enough. Closed the Australian morons Station down or jail they GO.

8/12/2012 8:46:03 a.m.

frank wrote:

The death of the nurse involved in the royal prank,she was a wife and mother of two children,i can only imagine the sense of loss and sadness in her family this morning, this is another example of how the modern media go about their business,first they create a situation, get the full effect ,and then apologize, and think all is well .It is a lack empathy for others ,and lowering of standards all round.It is just not good enough.

8/12/2012 5:47:47 a.m.

John P Hollands wrote:

Sir. In view of the recent tragic event, isn't it time that you removed this page from your site and replace it with news of the death of the nurse that took the call. The post from ETHNIC 1 LAST OF ENGLISH doen't do your site any credit and no, I'm not a Royalist!

6/12/2012 7:09:28 p.m.

ethnic 1 last of english wrote:

brilliant listen to the toffes crying you did no wrong bring on the republic