Greig, 30, and co-host Michael Christian called the King Edward VII hostpital in London as a prank for their radio show on popular Sydney-based 2Day FM.
Putting on fake comedy voices, the pair pretended to be the Queen and Prince Charles, requesting information about the pregnant Duchess’s health. Middleton was going through treatment for severe morning sickness at the time.
Indian-born nurse and mother Saldanha answered the call and put it through to another nurse on duty at the ward. She was found dead 3 days later after details of the hoax call were widely publicised in the worldwide media. One of three suicide notes found by Saldanha’s family reportedly concerned the prank call.
The note, which was addressed to Saldanha’s managers, read: “Please accept my apologies. I am truly sorry. Thank you for all your support. I hold the Radio Australians Mel Greig and Michael Christian responsible for this act. Please make them pay my mortgage. I am sorry. Jacintha.”
National Students Union of India activists marched to the British High Commission in New Delhi during a protest in Decemeber 2012 (Getty images)
“Ms Saldanha’s suicide was a devastating tragedy and Ms Greig’s thoughts have been with the family ever since,” said a statement from Greig’s lawyers Slater and Gordon.
The radio presenter “wants the family to know she will answer any questions the coroner or the family’s lawyers have at the inquest.”
“Ms Greig fully understands their need for answers, which is why she has taken this step to appear as an individual at the inquest.”
