Social media silliness: How Twitter dealt with Prince Philip's rumoured 'death'

Twitter users went into a frenzy over reports Prince Philip had died. Photo / Getty Images

The news that an emergency meeting had been called at Buckingham Palace today sparked frenzied rumours that Prince Philip had died.

They spread like wildfire online, along with speculation the Queen planned to abdicate or was on her deathbed.

Buckingham Palace later squashed those rumours, announcing that the 95-year-old prince was merely stepping down from active engagements.

But with hours to wait before the palace made its official statement, Twitter users were forced to make things up.

Just heard that the Queen has decided to put the empty Palace rooms on airb&b.....staff being informed. #BuckinghamPalace

— Sharon Matthews (@shazzadut) May 4, 2017

@theprojecttv someone ate the Queen's yoghurt out of the staff fridge. It clearly had her name on it and the culprit must be found!

— Wacky Wombat (@wacky_wombat) May 4, 2017

Official announcement of Queen Elizabeth as the 13th Doctor. Here's the first picture released! #buckinghampalace pic.twitter.com/XwscdN8cmX

— Vinicius (@ViniciusRbss) May 4, 2017

News of the emergency meeting broke in the middle of the night in the UK, which perhaps explained why media outlets there were largely silent. But there were also suggestions the BBC is particular was following protocol for the death of a member of the royal family.

All media streams are mentioning this apart from the BBC & when the BBC keep quiet you know it's going to be huge news#BuckinghamPalace

— TheWorldAccordingToG (@Turgie83) May 4, 2017

Others suspected there were more sinister moves afoot.

Queen calls for an emergency meeting with 007 #BuckinghamPalace pic.twitter.com/SQux2kYVBs

— Jozef (@jzalik) May 4, 2017

The Queen has talked with Roger Taylor and Brian May, and they're getting the band back together #BuckinghamPalace

— chris (@Lukeurmyson) May 4, 2017

Why is #BuckinghamPalace having an emergency meeting?
Is it to take US back?
Oh please, oh please!
We'll pay back taxes on our tea!
Promise

— Bev (@BevReese) May 4, 2017

Real reason for the emergency meeting... #BuckinghamPalace #QueenElizabethII pic.twitter.com/y47jzhS7aI

— Henrique W. Hamester (@HenriqHamesTer) May 4, 2017

Or of course it was an elaborate troll by the ever-mischievous Prince Philip.

Queen "I don't think anyone cares about us anymore"
Philip "Of course the do! Hold my beer" *organises random meeting #BuckinghamPalace

— Andrew Campey 🌱 (@AndrewCampey) May 4, 2017

"...And then there was that time Phil pretended to play dead. What a riot!" #BuckinghamPalace pic.twitter.com/etInW2YIcP

— Brian Thompson (@headlineacts) May 4, 2017

You've just been trolled, BOOM #BuckinghamPalace pic.twitter.com/yrAL6RUVXv

— Contaminated Charm🍃 (@PrinceVanCise) May 4, 2017