King Charles’ Funeral Plans Leak, Palace Tries to Contain “Spill” With “Censorship Operation”

King Charles’ funeral plans were recently leaked by The Telegraph in an article titled “Prince Harry and Meghan at heart of King’s funeral plans,” and apparently it caused total panic at the palace.

The Daily Beast reports that there was a “huge censorship operation” to “contain the spill” and that—while the leak originated within the palace itself—courtiers were determine not to let the news spread. And according to multiple sources, the King’s “most senior spin doctor,” Tobyn, had a “meltdown on the phone” to The Telegraph.

“These new details about London Bridge, including that Harry and Meghan will be invited for central roles and that the mourning period will be shortened, had found their way to the Telegraph exclusively,” a source said. “There was a conversation with the palace’s communications team ahead of publication. Tobyn was very, very, unhappy. He was involved directly and lobbied the Telegraph for more than 24 hours to try and influence the timing and terms of publication.”

Another source added that “There was a heated phone call. In the end, the view was taken that the paper needed to protect its editorial independence, and it decided to publish its scoop when it wanted to, which from Tobyn’s point of view was premature.” The royal rota (a press pool that covers the royals) were also allegedly discouraged from reporting on the story in leaked group texts.

As for The Telegraph’s claims, the paper revealed the Sussexes would be involved in funeral arrangements “at the highest level,” and that the national mourning period would be shortened.