While most Brits spent the weekend celebrating the Queen's 70 years on the throne, Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell was seemingly implying she could be dead within months.
The well-known media mogul was reacting to a performance on the British television show when he let slip a remark that has fans reeling.
Cowell was noting that the show's winner would go on to perform at the annual Royal Variety show, normally held in December and attended by members of the Royal Family.
"I know the money's important and the bragging rights of winning are important but actually this year, more than any, anyone who gets the chance to perform... please god it is the Queen."
Royal fans have taken the remark as suggesting the Queen may be dead before the variety show. The monarch has been struggling with mobility issues recently but is otherwise thought to be in fine health, appearing throughout this weekend's Jubilee celebrations.
"The awkward silence after Simon basically implied the Queen is on her way out … yeah that went down like a lead balloon," one person wrote on Twitter.
"Simon knows the Queen is on the way out," said another.
"Did Simon just imply that the Queen will be dead by the time of the Royal Variety performance."
"Did Simon just wish the Queen dead. I'm cackling."
"Did Simon just kill the Queen off?"
However, fans suggested Cowell could have been meaning that he hopes it is the Queen that turns up for the Royal Variety show. She hasn't attended since 2012, with other family members standing in for her since.
"Nah think he meant because usually the Queen don't attend these days it's usually William or Philip or someone like that," one person said.
"It was meant in regards to her attendance - Not if she is still alive. She last attended in 2012 - it's always attended by a member of the Royal Family - not necessarily the Queen. Given Jubilee year I think he meant he hopes it's her."
