Australian News reporter defends mistaking Prime Minister Liz Truss for 'minor royal'

Watch: Australian reporter Peter Overton calls Prime Minister Liz Truss a 'minor royal'

An Australian news reporter has defended misidentifying Prime Minister Liz Truss as a member of the royal family during Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

Peter Overton and Tracy Grimshaw were covering the state ceremony for Channel 9 News Sydney and commentating on famous faces for viewers as they arrived at Westminster Abbey in London.

As the new British Prime Minister stepped out of her car accompanied by her husband Grimshaw asked “Who’s this?”

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Overton replied: “Hard to identify. Maybe minor royals? Members of the - I can’t identify them at this point.”

Grimshaw added: “They could well be royal dignitaries, it’s hard to see."

Overton has now blamed the live stream video footage, claiming that it kept freezing so he did not see the Prime Minister's face on camera as he commented on who she might be.

He tweeted: "We were relying on a video feed for live stream of arrivals. At times the video would freeze so we’d turn around to try to catch a glimpse.

"I do know what British PM, Liz Truss looks like. The back of her hat, not so much!"

Along with the Royal Family, Heads of State from around the world and guests who were invited to the ceremony for their services to the Commonwealth there were some celebrity faces among the congregation at the state funeral in Westminster Abbey.

TV presenter and adventurer Bear Grylls was in attendance as he is Chief of the Scouts.

Killing Eve actress Sandra Oh was invited to represent Canada, having previously been made a member of the Order of Canada for services to the arts.

Read more: Queen's funeral: Famous faces seen at Westminster Abbey

And Peep Show star Sophie Winkleman was present as she is a minor member of the royal family, Lady Frederick Windsor. Her husband is Lord Frederick Windsor, son of Prince Michael of Kent, a paternal cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.