King Charles only found out about his mother's deteriorating health a few hours before the public when he took an urgent phone call 'then everyone went silent', royal editor claims

King Charles only found out about his mother's deteriorating health hours before the public when he heard 'footsteps running in the corridor' at Dumfries House, a royal editor has claimed.

Senior royals dashed to be at the Queen's bedside last Thursday amid the news her health was ailing, with sources previously saying it was only Charles and Princess Anne who were able to make it to the royal estate before her death.

Now Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston has revealed how the King heard the news while at his Scottish home of Dumfries House with his wife Camilla.