Australian News reporter defends mistaking Prime Minister Liz Truss for ‘minor royal’
Watch: Australian journalist Peter Overton calls Prime Minister Liz Truss a ‘minor royal’
An Australian journalist has defended the misidentification of Prime Minister Liz Truss as a member of the royal family during Queen Elizabeth IIfunerals.
Peter Overton and Tracy Grimshaw were covering the State Ceremony for Channel 9 News Sydney and commenting on famous faces for viewers as they arrived at Westminster Abbey in London.
As the new British Prime Minister got out of her car accompanied by her husband, Grimshaw asked “Who is it?”
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Overton replied, “Hard to identify. Maybe underage royals? The members of the – I can’t identify them at this point.
Grimshaw added: “They could well be royals, it’s hard to see.”
Overton has now blamed the live video footage, saying it continued to freeze so he did not see the Prime Minister’s face on camera as he commented on who she might be.
He tweeted: “We were relying on a video feed for the live broadcast of arrivals. Sometimes the video would freeze so we would turn around to try and get a preview.
“I know what British Prime Minister Liz Truss looks like. The back of her hat, not so much!”
As well as the Royal Family, heads of state from around the world and guests invited to the ceremony for their services to the Commonwealth, there were famous faces among the congregation at the state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
TV presenter and adventurer Bear Gryll was present because he is the leader of the scouts.
Kill Eve actress Sandra Oh has been asked to represent Canadahaving previously been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for services to the arts.
Read more: Queen’s funeral: Famous faces seen at Westminster Abbey
And peep show star Sophie Winkleman was present because she is an underage member of the royal family, Lady Frederick Windsor. Her husband is Lord Frederick Windsor, son of Prince Michael of Kent, paternal cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
