Australian DJs won't be charged for royal hoax

SYDNEY

Two Australian DJs impersonated Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, as they phoned a hospital in December to ask about the condition of the Duchess of Cambridge, formerly Kate Middleton, who had been hospitalized for treatment of acute morning sickness stemming from her pregnancy.

Nurse Jacintha Saldanha put the call through to a colleague who described the details of Kate's condition. Saldanha was found hanged in her room three days after the prank was broadcast across the world.

British authorities said there was no evidence to charge the DJs with manslaughter.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that decision was taken because it isn't possible to extradite from Australia for those potential offenses, and because "however misguided, the telephone call was intended as a harmless prank."

DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig apologized after Saldanha's death in emotional interviews on Australian television, saying they never expected their call would be put through.

The radio show was taken off air following Saldanha's death and later canceled.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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