The editors of a Belgian television website have massive quantities of egg on their faces.

After declaring that Queen Fabiola of Belgium had died, the website quickly withdrew the story, blaming a “publishing error”.

“This was human error. We are very sorry and our online news team has sent an apology to the royal family,” said a spokeswoman for the Flemish VRT television website.

The queen – who had surgery to correct a thyroid problem earlier this month – was diagnosed with pneumonia and is currently in a “serious but stable” condition.

Queen Fabiola Facts:

Consort to the late King Baudouin of Belgium
Aunt to Crown Prince Phillipe
Elected to be sedated using hypnosis during her recent surgery
Her godmother was Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain
The Queen was born Fabiola de Mora y Aragón, a daughter of the Marquess of Casa Riera, 2nd Count of Mora