Royal Family have not hesitated to take action against BBC for the last episode of their inflammatory documentary series that probes their relationship with the media.
Lawyers will be carefully watching tonight’s second instalment of The Princes and The Press to decide if the broadcaster flouted rules regarding accuracy and impartiality as well as giving them a fair right of reply.
The royal families were accused by the first program of being actively involved in briefing Harry and Meghan. This may have been done with the blessings of high-ranking royals.
The Princes and The Press’s first issue has already accused royal households of being actively informing against Harry and Meghan.
The BBC has reportedly capitulated to Harry’s complaint that the term ‘Megxit’ – coined to describe the Sussexes’ decision to quit royal duties – was sexist. Tonight’s programme has instead been titled ‘Sussexit’.
In a recent online forum, Prince Harry said: ‘The term Megxit was or is a misogynistic term, and it was created by a troll, amplified by royal correspondents, and it grew and grew into mainstream media.’
BBC2’s The Princes and The Press has infuriated the royal households over ‘overblown and unfounded’ claims.
Royal aides are also angry at what they perceive to be the broadcaster’s failure to offer a proper right of reply against the more egregious claims by ‘pro-Sussex’ journalists in the programme.
One of them is Omid Scobie who wrote the flattering Finding Freedom biography. He claimed – without providing any credible evidence or being challenged by presenter Amol Rajan – that ‘negative stories’ had been leaked about Meghan to ‘put her in her place’.
Mr Scobie said: ‘There’s been rumours that a lot of the most damaging and negative stories… have come from other royal households or royal aides. From my research and reporting that’s true.’
Royal Family is not ruling out legal action against BBC for the last instalment its controversial documentary series
Airtime was also given to the duchess’s lawyer Jenny Afia, speaking with her express permission, to counter reports that she was ‘difficult’ to work with.
Her statement, however, was not examined by the public. This is especially true given that Buckingham Palace launched an internal investigation into claims of Meghan bullying.
The final episode of the two-part series is set to be even more explosive, with concern there will be suggestions senior royals, most notably William, ‘planted’ stories about Harry’s mental health.
William, who is known for his tireless campaign to improve mental health and has won many plaudits, seems particularly offended by this suggestion.
It was Harry himself who first raised the subject in a 2019 television interview, saying he had experienced a resurgence of mental health issues that needed ‘constant management’.
At the time William was only reported to have been ‘concerned’ at his brother’s wellbeing after viewing the programme, which was considered a natural response. Sources go further, saying the suggestion any claims about Harry’s mental health were ‘planted’ are ‘categorically untrue’.
All three royal households – Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace – are understood to be in ‘lockstep’ over their reaction to the documentary. The Mail understands that no final decision will be made over what action, if any, will be taken in response until tonight’s final episode has been aired.
The final episode of the two-part series is set to be even more explosive, with concern there will be suggestions senior royals, most notably William, ‘planted’ stories about Harry’s mental health
This could be in the form of a complaint to BBC governors, or Tocom watchdog. Although this option seems unlikely, they could also take legal action.
It is evident that the events of recent times will have long-lasting ramifications.
A charity carol concert for Westminster Abbey has been banned by the BBC by The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge.
Sources say forthcoming projects such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee are unlikely to be affected but William in particular is likely to ‘think twice’ about future collaborations.
Insiders told the Mail last week that suggestions William and Harry engaged in ‘destructive’ briefings could not be more wide of the mark.
The Sussexes gave several inflamatory television interviews, but the Aides refused to get into a battle of words.
Riddle of host’s Stay behind Tories won’t Hold him at bay BBC says insiders
A sudden flip-flop to support the Tories is not likely to hurt royal documentary host Amol Rajan should he run to be the BBC’s next political editor, senior figures at the corporation said last night.
It was claimed yesterday that when Mr Rajan was editor of Left-wing newspaper The Independent, he had agreed at the 11th hour to back the Conservatives in the 2015 general election if then-prime minister David Cameron attended the birthday party of the paper’s owner, Evgeny Lebedev.
After months of Labour’s praise, it shocked many.
The BBC was threatened by the Royal Family after Republican Amol Rajan’s document The Princes and The Press, which featured The Press and The Princes.
But the about-face does not seem to have harmed Mr Rajan’s rumoured chances of replacing Laura Kuenssberg as BBC political editor, should she step down in the near future as expected, insiders told the Mail.
Some colleagues pointed out that Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC was an avid fan. An additional senior BBC source doubted whether the revelations would impact his chances of winning.
Same colleagues asked Mr Rajan (38) if he, who is currently the media editor, would like to be a journalist.
According to them, he would be more interested in being a presenter like Andrew Marr who has left the BBC after 21-years of service.
Pictured is Mr Rajan (pictured), who was also host of Today and became the first Fleet Street editor without a white background at the age of 29.
The Mail on Sunday reported that in the months leading up to the election, The Independent was highly critical of the Tories’ record in the Coalition government.
It is unlikely that Mr Rajan, the royal documentary host, will be hurt by a sudden turn-around to back the Tories.
An editorial on April 4 read: ‘The plain fact is that the Conservatives have misread the national mood again, and it is depressing their electoral appeal…the Tory leadership looks and sounds a little too public school, a touch too smug and a bit too sympathetic to business vested interests.’
Other editorials criticised the Conservatives’ Right to Buy plans as well as labelling the decision not to raise taxes as ‘foolish’.
However, just two days before the election, The Independent performed a U-turn and praised Mr Cameron for ‘an exceptional achievement’ in creating more jobs and said his party ‘deserve tremendous credit’ for improving schools.
The Guardian reported at the time that Mr Cameron did indeed attend the party of Russian businessman Mr Lebedev, who turned 35 on May 8 – the day after polling day.
Republican Mr Rajan’s documentary The Princes and The Press prompted the Royal Family to threaten to boycott the BBC.
BBC said last night that the job of political editor was not available. Rumours that Rajan changed his editorial style to please Lebedev have been denied by Mr Rajan.