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.
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.
Others suspected there were more sinister moves afoot.
Or of course it was an elaborate troll by the ever-mischievous Prince Philip.
Police could be seen cordoning off a street in the area.