Royal Family scolds BBC over William and Harry documentary
The first episode is presented by British journalist Amol Rajan — a self-declared Republican
Article content
They are not amused.
In a rare joint statement, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace have given the BBC a public scolding for the documentary The Princes and The Press, a film that suggests not only intense sibling rivalry between William and Harry but that the rivalry is fuelled by royal sources and courtiers leaking information to journalists.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Royal Family scolds BBC over William and Harry documentary Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
The joint statement, included at the end of the documentary, says, “A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy.
“However, too often it is overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources that are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.”
The first episode is presented by British journalist Amol Rajan — a self-declared Republican who has called the Royal Family “absurd” in the past.
Called New Generation, the segment examines the relationship between the princes and the media.
The ground it covers spans the years between the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the lead-up to the engagement and marriage of Harry and Meghan in 2018.
According to The Mirror, the film suggests Harry’s hostile attitude to the media was made worse by the negative coverage afforded his future wife from the moment she stepped on the scene.
Then there’s the treatment of their private lives. Consider, for example, the way anyone dating Harry was mercilessly scrutinized. The doc includes an interview with private eye Gavin Burrows, who talks about how Chelsy Davy’s voicemails were hacked and how her sexual past was put under the microscope.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
The documentary also includes an appearance by Meghan’s lawyer, who discusses reports claiming the Duchess of Sussex mistreated staff at the palace. The Times reported early in 2021 that she often humiliated palace staff and that her behaviour allegedly caused two personal assistants to leave.
Meghan has denied these accusations.
“Those stories were false,” said lawyer Jenny Afia. “This narrative that no one can work for the Duchess of Sussex, she was too difficult and demanding as a boss and everyone had to leave, it’s just not true.”
No one in the Royal Family was given an advance copy of the documentary to vet.
The second part of the documentary will air next week, and according to The Mirror is expected to do a deep dive into the rift between Harry and William.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.