Prince Philip is alive: Buckingham Palace rubbishes death hoax

Speculations were rife that Prince Philip is dead after Queen Elizabeth II called for a 'highly unusual' emergency meeting at the Buckingham Palace last night. However, the palace press office confirmed the Queen and Prince Philip are fine.

The rumour started doing the rounds after Daily Mail reported that Lord Chamberlain, the senior most officer of the Royal Household, and Queen's right-hand man, Private Secretary Sir Christopher Geidt, ordered all servants from royal residences to attend a meeting.

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The royal staff and the longest serving staffs were also not aware of the meeting. Sources told Daily Mail that the meeting was "highly unusual" and had sparked speculations that it might be about an important announcement regarding the Queen or her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

"Everyone is on tenterhooks. Although meetings involving the entire royal household are occasionally called, the way this has been done at the eleventh hour is highly unusual and suggests that there is something major to be disseminated. But at the moment, only those closest to her genuinely know what on earth this is all about," a source told the tabloid.

Several other sources even insisted that Lord Chamberlain calls household staff meetings from time to time and there is no cause for concern. But by the time, rumours on Philip's death went viral on social media.

However, the Buckingham Palace told a TVNZ reporter that all is well. "You could safely assume the Queen and Prince Philip are not dead," a palace press officer told a TVNZ reporter this afternoon.

Another daily reported the "information and resources" will be available at 8 am.