English singer Morrissey has taken aim at the British royal family, blaming them for the circumstances which lead to the suicide of nurse Jacintha Saldanha.



Saldanha a nurse at King Edward VIII Hospital, was found dead in her flat days after being caught up in a prank call by a pair of Australian DJs.



Hosts of a countdown show on 2Day FM Melanie Greig and Michael Christian appeared live on an Australian news show yesterday to explain themselves after a prank call with the pair impersonating The Queen and Prince Charles backfired.



Saldanha was said to have picked up the phone when the pair called, and forwarded it through the ward where a pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for Hyperemesis Gravidarum - acute morning sickness.



On New Zealand television ahead of his tour, known anti-monarchist Morrissey has apportioned the blame of Saldanha's suicide on the Duchess for being in hospital .



''Even with the recent story about the nurse killing herself in King Edward Hospital, there's no blame placed on Kate Middleton, who was in the hospital as far as I could see for absolutely no reason,'' he told 3News.



''She feels no shame about the death of this woman, she's saying nothing about the death of this poor woman. The arrogance of the British royals is staggering, absolutely staggering. And why it's allowed to be I really don't know,'' Morrissey said.



As soon as news of the suicide broke, both Prince William and Middleton released a statement expressing their sorrow at Saldanha's death.



Hyperemesis Gravidarum can be life-threatening if left untreated, and causes severe dehydration.



Morrissey however remained unconvinced Middleton's condition was a real one.



''Does she have a health condition...? What is the health condition? I mean morning sickness already? So much hoo haw and then suddenly as bright as a button as soon as this poor woman dies she's out of hospital? It doesn't ring true.



''And I'm sure the Palace and Clarence House put maximum pressure on this poor receptionist and nurse, and of course that's kept away from the press.



"I'm sure the British press hounded this poor woman to her death, that's kept away.



''And by this time next week she'll be forgotten. And that's how the British royals work.''



Morrissey is due to play in the Wellington Town Hall on Friday, and Auckland's Vector Arena on Saturday.