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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Magdalene Dalziel & Antony Thrower

King Charles was told Queen was dying in frantic phone call before 'everything was silent'

King Charles was told his mother was dying in a frantic phone call before “everything was silent”.

News that the Queen had sparked concern amongst her medics reached Queen Consort Camilla just as she was about to be interviewed by the daughter of former US President George Bush.

An aide was heard running in the corridor outside as the Queen Consort was about to chat with American journalist Jenna Welch Bush Hager.

Just minutes later, after the call, she and the then Prince of Wales were aboard a helicopter flying towards Balmoral.

The King was told about the health worries for the late monarch at around 12.30pm last Thursday (September 8) which was around the same time the general public were informed.

Newsweek’s Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston told True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat: “Charles and Camilla were in Dumfries House.

"Camilla was actually about to record an interview with Jenna Bush Hager, who said she heard footsteps running in the hallway.

“Charles took a call, everything was silent, and they were asked to be silent.

“Then the next thing she knew, Charles and Camilla were in a helicopter. And that was at 12.30 [on Thursday 8th September], so that was around exactly the same time that we were told.

“So they didn’t wait, they didn’t give Charles an hour or two hours [before telling the public].”

The feud between William and Harry, as well as the King’s first address to the nation the day after the Queen’s death, were also discussed.

Mr Royston added: “I see in Charles a bit of George V - the sort of avuncular, fatherly figure of the nation. And it’s benefited him, his older years.”

Discussing the new Prince of Wales’ relationship with his brother the Duke of Sussex, Historian Tessa Dunlop said: “[William and Kate] realise their positions are a privilege, that they are honoured, they are lucky … and that has bred in William a magnanimity towards his brother.

“I think it was generous and it was right for him to stretch out an invitation to Harry [to join him and Kate on the Windsor walkabout].”

Royal commentator Wesley Kerr added: “I think it’s very much a moment [for the Waleses and the Sussexes] to heal.

“It may not be a permanent repair because we still don’t know what’s going to happen with Harry’s book, which apparently is finished.

“So what’s the deal with the publishers if it says harsh things about people? So that’s unresolved.

“I should think that Meghan’s podcasts will tone down.”

Thousands of people have continued to queue overnight to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster House along London’s South Bank.

The wait is thought to be at least 11 hours now as people flock to the capital to pay their respects.

It comes after the Queen left her beloved Edinburgh for the last time on Tuesday to make her way to her final resting place in Windsor.

Her coffin lay in rest at St Giles Cathedral in the capital for 24 hours, draped with the Royal Standard of Scotland and the Crown of Scotland.

Mourners up and down the country gathered in the city to pay their respects to the late monarch fondly known as the 'Queen of Scots' since her passing at Balmoral on Thursday.

Full details of the Queen’s funeral were released yesterday (Thursday, September 15), with her majesty set to be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

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