Veteran broadcaster Huw Edwards is said to have “prepared and practised” the moment he would break the news of the Queen’s death to the nation on BBC News.
The Welsh journalist delivered news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on BBC One Thursday evening, after the monarch had been placed under medical supervision by doctors earlier in the day.
The Ten O'Clock News presenter wore a black suit and tie as he told BBC viewers at around 6.30pm: “A few moments ago, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
He then read out the statement from the Palace, which said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Edwards had been presenting the rolling coverage since just past 12pm and continued into the evening as tributes flooded in for the Queen.
BBC viewers praised the news anchor's “impeccable” coverage of the seismic event, with many calling for him to be knighted.
Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alastair Campbell has now shared how Edwards, who joined the BBC in 1984, told him of his own preparation for breaking the news of the Queen’s death to the nation.
Campbell shared on Twitter : “Huw Edwards told me a few months ago he had been preparing, practising and even rehearsing in front of his bathroom mirror for this moment for some time.
“He said too that the Queen’s death would be the biggest challenge to BBC News in its history. He did superbly.”
He continued: “I am out of the country and have not seen much of the BBC coverage but Fiona Miller [Campbell’s wife] tells me he has been “absolutely brilliant”. Which should surprise nobody.”
In his coverage, Edwards said: “It's a seismic event, it's the longest reigning monarch in British history, who has left us at the age of 96.
“And it's not a surprise when someone of that age suffers ill health and eventually passes away but what is left of course is the reflection on what was achieved and the kind of life that was led, and the sense of duty and a sense of loyalty.
“As Nick Witchell was saying, the sense of humility, which seems rather bizarre to say for a monarch, as someone who had a sense of service to others.
“This was a theme that was repeated so often in the Queen's statements and at great milestones in her life.”
