Morrissey Blames Royal Family for Death of Nurse
Morrissey’s longstanding disdain for Britain’s royal family bubbled up again when he blamed them for the recent suicide of a nurse who had inadvertently disclosed information to prank-calling Australian radio DJs about the Duchess of Cambridge’s condition while she hospitalized last week. In an interview with New Zealand’s 3 News, Morrissey said it was misleading to blame the DJs for the death of Jacintha Saldhana, who was found dead on the street near the London hospital where she worked.
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The Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, was hospitalized for acute morning sickness in the early stages of pregnancy, an explanation that didn’t wash with Morrissey. “There’s no blame placed at Kate Middelton who was in the hospital for, as far as I can see, absolutely no reason,” he said. “She feels no shame about the death of this woman. She’s saying nothing about the death of this poor woman. The arrogance of the British royals is staggering, absolutely staggering; and why it’s allowed to be I don’t know.”
The singer questioned the severity of the duchess’ condition, quipping, “Is it anorexia, or is it pregnancy? We don’t know.” He went on to say he was sure the royal household “put maximum pressure on this poor receptionist and nurse, and of course that’s kept away from the press. I’m sure the British press hounded this poor woman to her death, and that’s kept away. By this time next week, she’ll be forgotten. And that’s how the British royals work.”
That’s not exactly right: the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a statement that said they were “deeply saddened” by the news of Saldhana’s death and “their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.” A spokesman for the royals also told the The New York Times that “At no point did the palace complain to the hospital about the incident. On the contrary, we offered our full and heartfelt support to the nurses involved and the hospital staff at all times.”
It’s not Morrissey’s first time criticizing the royal family. Over the summer he accused them of “hi-jack[ing] the Olympics for their own empirical needs, and no oppositional voice is allowed in the free press.”