Boris Johnson’s office has apologized to the royal family for hosting a pandemic party for its staff last year on Downing Street, on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral. It was the latest in a series of meetings that broke lockdown rules and now threatens to bring down the UK prime minister.

The communications director’s farewell party, with drinks and dancing late into the night, takes place on April 16, 2021, the night of the funeral at which Queen Elizabeth II sat alone due to social distancing rules to stop the transmission of the coronavirus.

A few days ago, Johnson apologized for attending an earlier meeting at the Downing Street office and residence park in May 2021, when a strict quarantine was imposed across the United Kingdom.

Johnson’s spokesman, Jamie Davies, said the government acknowledged last May’s party caused “deep public unrest.”

“It is regrettable that this happened at a time of national mourning and No. 10 has sent his apology to the palace,” he said, referring to the office at 10 Downing Street.

About the party in April 2021, former communications director James Slack said his job farewell party “shouldn’t have happened when it was.”

“I apologize unconditionally for the anger and pain caused,” Slack said in a statement.

“I am deeply sorry and take full responsibility,” added Slack, who has been deputy editor of the tabloid The Sun since his departure from the government.

Johnson was not said to have attended the party, the Daily Telegraph newspaper revealed.

The new revelations have sparked widespread disgust in Britain for the symbolism held on April 16, 2021, the day before the funeral of the queen’s husband for seven decades.

The Daily Telegraph said Downing Street staff drank, danced and chatted at a farewell party for Slack and other dignitaries late into the night.

The next day, the queen dowager sat away from the other participants at the funeral service for her husband at Windsor Castle.

The photo of the king, alone, dressed in black and wearing a mask, is a powerful illustration of the isolation and sacrifice many people have suffered during the pandemic.