Newsreader Huw Edwards is leading the BBC's special news coverage following the news that doctors are concerned for the Queen’s health. And it has been noted that he has been sharing updates on the Queen's health to viewers wearing a black suit and tie.
A change of outfits is BBC protocol for serious royal illnesses and deaths. Last April, BBC newsreader Martine Croxall was seen having to change outfits live on air as news of the Duke of Edinburgh's death broke.
It comes as the BBC cleared its scheduled programming for Thursday afternoon immediately following the announcement from Buckingham Palace that the Queen is under medical supervision. The BBC pulled an episode of Bargain Hunt from air to make way for a news special as concerns for the Queen's health mounted.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement at 12.32pm on Thursday with a Palace spokesman saying: “Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."
As the usual programming on the BBC was pulled, a black screen appeared before a BBC newsreader confirmed: "Welcome to viewers on BBC One. We have had news from Buckingham Palace that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral." Around an hour into the programme, Huw took over presenting duties as one of the most senior newsreaders in the organisation.
While the BBC scrapped all its planned programming, other channels including ITV and Channel 4 remained with regular schedules, Wales Online reports. The BBC kept up news coverage on the situation, while ITV did cover the announcement during their lunchtime news.
Speaking as part of the BBC special news program, royal editor Nicholas Witchell explained why the announcement was so significant. He said: "I think this is clearly a very significant moment. For all of the reasons that we have been saying over the last hour or so.
"The fact that the palace, which doesn’t usually comment on the state of her health or the progression of her wellbeing. The fact that it is saying that the doctors are concerned, though they say she remains comfortable at Balmoral. The fact that immediate family members are gathering at Balmoral.
"Prince Charles who is of course staying at the Balmoral estate at Birkhall, he’s travelling over and has been regularly going to see his mother while he’s been staying there. The fact that I think says the most is the fact that Prince William is flying up to Balmoral from the south.
"So I think, all in all, this is a very sombre moment. I think as politicians are saying there is a profound concern. I think it was Nicola Sturgeon who used that phrase and I think that is absolutely right and other politicians echoing that sentiment. Hoping for the best but let's be completely candid now, braced for the worst. It may be that there will be a recovery but there has been a gradual deterioration in her health in recent months."
Heir to the throne Charles was said to have been making regular morning visits to see his mother later in the summer as she continued to struggle with her mobility, with the unplanned visits considered highly unusual. The Queen missed the annual Braemar Gathering highland games, which she usually attends, last weekend.
During her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen only travelled to Buckingham Palace twice, first for her Trooping the Colour balcony appearance and then for a finale after the pageant.
She secretly spent a night in hospital for tests in October and was ordered by doctors to rest for the next three months, missing the Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph service and Cop26 climate change talks. The Queen then caught Covid in February. After experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, she said the virus left her "very tired and exhausted".
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