The BBC has been hit with complaints by viewers who ‘felt it was inappropriate’ to see office staff working in the corporation’s studios at the time the Queen’s death announcement was made live on air.
Huw Edwards read out a statement confirming Queen Elizabeth II’s death during a live broadcast on Thursday, September 8, shortly after 6.30pm.
After an image of the flag at Buckingham Palace was shown at half mast, Edwards told viewers: ‘A few moments ago Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.’
Edwards 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.’
The broadcaster was dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, in line with the BBC’s dress code for when a member of the royal family dies as a mark of respect.
However, some viewers were apparently distracted by Edwards’ broadcast by people working in the background.
A summary of the complaint reads on the BBC website: ‘We’ve received complaints from people who felt it was inappropriate to see office staff during an announcement of death of Her Majesty the Queen II.’
The outlet’s response to those complaints is as follows: ‘This programme was broadcast from Studio E, which has the BBC newsroom as its backdrop, and it is normal to see staff in the background of news reports.
‘No-one’s actions in the newsroom were intended to cause any distraction, nor to give any offence, during the BBC News specials.’
Edwards had been presenting rolling news coverage on BBC One since midday when Buckingham Palace released its first statement which said royal doctors were concerned for the Queen’s health.
Viewers had flocked to social media at the time to praise Edwards during the report, with one writing: ‘Huw Edwards holding it together. You can see him welling up and holding it back. #bbc @bbcnews I don’t envy him at this moment.’
Another penned: ‘Also, respect to Huw Edwards. He’s just done about a 72 hour straight live shift for the change of PMs. And anchored the 10 O’clock all week. He must be utterly exhausted. Dimbleby-esque stamina & professionalism.’
Someone else wrote: ‘Huw Edwards doing a brilliant job of guiding the country through such a massive moment in our national history. The perfect tone.’
