The Queen's royal staff have reportedly been called from across the UK to an emergency meeting at Buckingham Palace but the BBC says the meeting is not about the health of the Queen or her husband, Prince Philip.
The news of the meeting, from "sources", has sent the internet into meltdown as the monarch's aides and team members from as far as Balmoral in Scotland to her Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and Windsor Castle head to the city residence for a meeting mid-morning.
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What happens when the Queen dies?
It's hard to imagine a world without Queen Elizabeth II on the throne, but many are now contemplating what will happen when she passes away.
The BBC reported the meeting was not believed to be a cause for concern and such meetings happened about once a year. BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said he understood the meeting was not about the health of the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh.
According to the Daily Mail, the staff will be addressed by the most senior officer of the royal household, Lord Chamberlain, and the Queen's private secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt.
UK radio had reported, and social media had speculated, the news could be regarding Prince Philip. The royal correspondent for London's Daily Telegraph, Hannah Furness, reported the meeting was unlikely to be about the death of a senior royal or an abdication.
She said staff were due to meet mid-morning to learn the news first, before it is announced to the public.
Prince Philip, 95, was on public duty on Wednesday, opening a new multimillion-dollar grandstand at Lord's, named after former England captain Sir Pelham Warner, while the Queen received British Prime Minister Theresa May at Buckingham Palace.
"You could safely assume the Queen and Prince Philip are not dead," a palace press office told a 1 NEWS reporter in Auckland this afternoon.
Media have now begun gathering at the gates of the palace.
News network OB satellite vans & reporters gathering outside Buckingham Palace right now pic.twitter.com/QqxpigZEKf
— Zara (@strawdelish) May 4, 2017
"Buckingham Palace" is now trending on Twitter in Australia.
With Buckingham Palace making headlines you can already hear Elton John running to the studio to change two lines and release a single
— Pain (@foreveryourgirI) May 4, 2017
whatever it is that's happening at the buckingham palace i just hope all the corgis are okay
— rita (@orchidsgone) May 4, 2017
Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on the meeting or release a statement. Official statements from the palace are usually made at 8am (5pm AEST).
Unlike the Queen, Philip's death will have no constitutional implications. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, the couple's youngest child, will inherit his title.
After his death, eight days of official mourning would be observed by all staff at the palace and the Queen would suspend her duties for about 30 days. The BBC would be tasked with announcing the news.
Flags at major institutions, as well as naval and military establishments, given his time served with the Royal Navy, would be flown at half mast.
The Royal Standard flag which usually flies above the palace when the Queen is in residence would not be lowered to half mast following the Duke's death.
More to come