Tragic Consequences of a Prank Call
Back in 2012, an unfortunate event unfolded when Australian DJs, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, conducted a prank phone call to the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was being treated. This harmless-seeming joke took a tragic turn when nurse Jacintha Saldanha, caught in the middle, ended her own life.
The two radio personalities, who were working for 2Day FM, impersonated the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles to gain confidential information about Kate Middleton, who was pregnant and dealing with severe morning sickness at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London.
Jacintha Saldanha, a 46-year-old nurse and mother of two, unsuspectingly transferred this call to the ward where the Duchess was staying. The distress and embarrassment of being deceived by the call led to her untimely passing.
According to reports, before her death, Jacintha wrote letters expressing her dismay towards the DJs, attributing her tragic decision to their actions.
Prince William’s Heartfelt Message
In response to this heart-wrenching situation, Prince William reached out to Jacintha’s family with a letter penned on New Year’s Day in 2013. The letter reflected the deep sorrow felt by both him and Kate.
Prince William praised the care that Kate received during her time at the hospital, highlighting Jacintha’s outstanding commitment and nursing skills. His words were filled with sympathy and gratitude.
“It is unbelievably sad and we both extend to you and your family our deepest condolences,” William expressed, acknowledging the profound impact of her loss.
He further mentioned, “We have been thinking about Jacintha a lot lately and were both astonished to learn about her. She was praised by several of the nurses, and you are undoubtedly aware of her exceptional nursing skills.”
William concluded with a note of sincere regret: “Jacintha and her colleagues looked after us extremely well and I am just so sorry that someone who cared for others so much found themselves in such a desperate situation.”
The Aftermath for the DJs
Following the prank call, both Mel Greig and Michael Christian faced an overwhelming backlash from the public, including threats to their lives and reputations.
Michael Christian decided to continue working with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), the radio network involved, although he felt he was made a scapegoat and marginalized. He expressed that he did not receive the aid promised to him to rebuild his career.
In 2023, after being laid off, Christian pursued legal action against SCA, challenging the grounds of his redundancy and seeking compensation for his financial losses.
On the other hand, Mel Greig left the station sooner and took a different path. She publicly apologized for the prank, expressing her embarrassment for not taking steps to prevent its broadcast. In 2014, she shared her struggles with depression and the impact of threats received by her family.
Greig continues to convey her sympathy towards the Saldanha family and supports Christian’s legal actions. She calls for improved support systems for employees in media companies to prevent similar occurrences.
The radio network, Southern Cross Austereo has been approached for their comments on this matter.
