February 1, 1776

For a short time in November 1775, London newspapers portended the death of the Duke of Gloucester, the younger brother of King George III. Thirty-two-year-old Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and his wife, Maria, were in Padua. While the Duke and Duchess, who was pregnant at the time, were there, the Duke became severely ill. 

Because the Duke of Gloucester was out of the country, updates on his health took time to reach London. In the meantime, many London newspapers included speculation like this paragraph, which was reprinted in the Pennsylvania Evening Post in February. Thankfully, within a few days after this report, dated November 10, letters from Padua confirmed that the Duke would live. 

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

LONDON, November 10.
[...]
The Duke of Gloucester is certainly dead; the news is not declared, that ministry may have time to settle the disposal of his places.