A Current Affair’s Tracy Grimshaw told viewers the Queen — and not Prince Philip — was stepping down

CHANNEL Nine’s ACA host Tracy Grimshaw caused a stir when she flubbed the announcement of the news from Buckingham Palace.

A CURRENT Affair’s Tracy Grimshaw committed a right royal faux pas in the rush to get the Palace scoop, telling Channel 9 viewers the Queen — and not Prince Philip — was stepping down from public life.

A wide-eyed Grimshaw said the program had “confirmation” the Sovereign was in effect abdicating — a much more “significant” story, before quickly correcting herself.

The experienced TV host had been at the mercy of producers feeding her details through an earpiece, while presenting the breaking story live on air — interrupting a cross with the network’s UK correspondent Michael Best, who was posted outside Buckingham Palace.

News outlets around the world had been sweating on the official announcement since palace staff were summoned to a meeting, sparking concerns for the Queen and her husband from the early hours of Thursday morning, London time.

While protocol reportedly dictated that the BBC would make any news public at 8am (5pm AEST), official word was not released until 10am (or 7pm AEST).

At that time, a media advisory, released by the Royal Communications press office, confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh’s decision to step down from fulltime duties.

Earlier in the day, French media had reported the 95-year-old Royal Consort had died, with Peter Hunt, the BBC’s Royal correspondent correcting widespread rumours, when he tweeted: “There is no cause for concern regarding the health of either the Queen or Prince Philip.”

In a funny footnote to Grimshaw’s blooper, her Channel 9 colleague Richard Wilkins, who famously declared actor Jeff Goldblum dead back in 2009, had dinner with the Hollywood star, still very much alive and kicking.

Wilkins posted a photo with Goldblum, while on assignment in Los Angeles, from Rockwell Table & Stage, telling his Instagram audience: “All is forgiven! Great catch up with the uber talented and very alive @jeffgoldblum.”

Originally published as A Current Affair’s Tracy Grimshaw told viewers the Queen — and not Prince Philip — was stepping down