The BBC was accused of giving credibility to ‘overblown and unfounded claims’ about the Royal Family last night as it broadcast a controversial documentary about William and Harry.
In an extraordinary joint statement, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House said it was ‘disappointing’ that the broadcaster had chosen to air allegations surrounding Harry and Meghan’s departure from Britain.
The Royal Family lawyers were available to assist with the BBC2 two-part series. This included allegations that royal household insiders had briefed the Sussexes.
Buckingham Palace reportedly threatened to boycott any future BBC projects, after the BBC refused permission for courtiers to see the show before its first episode aired.
In the strongly-worded joint statement given to the BBC ahead of last night’s programme, representatives for the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William said: ‘A free, responsible and open Press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy.
However, too often overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.’
In the strongly-worded joint statement given to the BBC ahead of last night’s programme, representatives for the Queen (pictured), Prince Charles and Prince William said: ‘A free, responsible and open Press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy
The BBC was accused of giving credibility to ‘overblown and unfounded claims’ about the Royal Family last night as it broadcast a controversial documentary about William and Harry (pictured in July 2018)
Dan Wootton, a Dan Wootton guest on this episode, spoke about his personal story that became known as “Tiaragate”. Jenny Afia from Schillings, who worked with the Duchess and was featured in this episode.
Last night’s first episode of The Princes and The Press detailed media coverage of the young royals from 2012 to 2018, when Harry and Meghan became engaged. It included claims of ‘competitiveness’ between the different royal households.
Journalist Omid Scobie was coauthor of Finding Freedom: A controversial biography about the Sussexes. He said that negative stories were leaked about Meghan. However, he didn’t name the people involved. ‘There were some people who felt she [Meghan]She had to be placed in her place.
I think by leaking a negative story, that’s punishment,’ he said. ‘There’s been rumours for quite some time that a lot of the most damaging and negative stories… have come from other royal households or from other royal aides. From my own research and reporting that’s exactly true.’
The BBC sent a memo outlining the relevant claims, and refused to give an advance copy.
Insiders said the rift between William and Harry will be examined in even greater detail in next week’s instalment.
According to royal advisers, Charles, William and the Queen have been denied a right of reply.
They fear the BBC’s decision to include them in a documentary, fronted by self-declared republican Amol Rajan, will give its claims a level of legitimacy.
In an extraordinary joint statement, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House said it was ‘disappointing’ that the broadcaster had chosen to air allegations surrounding Harry and Meghan’s (pictured with Prince William and Kate Middleton in March 2020) departure from Britain
Last night’s programme included an interview with private detective Gavin Burrows, who admitted he had targeted Harry’s ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
He said she was subjected to voicemail hacking and surveillance after she started dating the prince in 2004, as Harry had become ‘the new Diana’ due to the level of tabloid interest in his life.
Mr Burrows said he worked for the now-defunct News of the World and other newspapers, and told the BBC: ‘There was a lot of voicemail hacking going on, there was a lot of surveillance work on her phones, on her comms.’
He apologised for his part in targeting Miss Davy, who is now married, and for the impact on Harry, saying: ‘I was basically part of a group of people who robbed him of his normal teenage years.’
Prince Harry is currently a witness in an action against the News of the World publisher, News Group Newspapers for alleged phone hacking. The suit, which is being filed by others, includes Prince Harry, who claims that he has been hacked.