The hospital did not comment on media reports that she had committed suicide, while police said they were treating the death as unexplained. The royal couple said they were "deeply saddened" by the news, saying staff had looked after them "wonderfully well" during the three nights that Kate spent in hospital being treated for severe morning sickness.
Saldanha had accepted the hoax call from two Australian radio presenters pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and William's father Prince Charles, before passing it onto a colleague who divulged details of Kate's condition. The hoax caused a global media storm, and the hospital's chief executive John Lofthouse said it had been "supporting her through this very difficult time". He said the hospital, which has been a favourite with royals for years, had lost "a first-class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us".
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends. Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much loved and valued colleague," he added. In what it billed as the "biggest royal prank ever", a presenter from Sydney's 2Day FM station called the hospital on Monday pretending to be the queen and asked to speak to the former Kate Middleton.
Saldanha said, "Oh yes, just hold on, Ma'am", before putting her through to another nurse who revealed that Kate "hasn't had any retching with me since I've been on duty and she has been sleeping on and off". The hospital had expressed its deep regret over the incident and St James' Palace, the office of William and Kate, said on Friday the royals had not complained.
"At no point did the palace complain to the hospital about the incident. On the contrary, we offered our full and heartfelt support to the nurses involved and hospital staff at all times," a spokesman said. Police said officers were called at 9:25 am (0925 GMT) on Friday morning to reports of a woman unconscious at an address close to the hospital. "London Ambulance Service attended and a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries continue to establish the circumstances of the incident. The death is being treated as unexplained," a statement said. Police said results of a post-mortem were due this weekend, but the death is not thought to be suspicious. "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha," said a statement from St James' Palace.