Prince William displayed remarkable composure on Monday evening, making a public appearance at a prestigious royal event just moments before a contentious BBC documentary featuring him and his brother, Prince Harry, was broadcast.
The 39-year-old Duke of Cambridge graced the BFI South Bank in London for the annual Tusk Conservation Awards, an event that honors Africa’s foremost wildlife defenders, with the future king presenting accolades to the deserving recipients.
His timely arrival at the ceremony preceded the airing of “The Princes and the Press,” a two-part documentary hosted by Amol Rajan on BBC Two, with the second segment slated for broadcast next Monday.
The documentary delves into the turbulent dynamics between the royal siblings following the Sussexes’ decision to step back from their royal duties last year.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams highlighted that the Royal Family was not afforded the opportunity to preview the documentary or address any assertions made within it.
Allegedly, members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, expressed displeasure at not being granted early access to the documentary or the chance to provide a response.
According to The Mail on Sunday, the documentary has been criticized as mere gossip, causing distress to the Queen amidst the ongoing controversy.
Prince William is said to have aligned with the Queen and Prince Charles to lodge a complaint with the BBC regarding the portrayal of the Royals’ interactions with the media.
Reports suggested that royal aides closely monitored the content of BBC Two’s “The Princes and the Press,” which scrutinizes the media coverage surrounding William and Harry over the years.
The Royal Family purportedly felt indignant about not being given a fair opportunity to counter the claims made in the program.
The initial episode, aired on Monday night, chronicled events from the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012 to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, shedding light on rumors of a strain between the Sussexes and the Cambridges.
The upcoming second episode will delve into the period spanning 2018 to 2021, focusing on the royal tours undertaken by both couples.
BBC guidelines mandate that all news and current affairs documentaries extend the right of reply to individuals discussed in the content, as appropriate.
The BBC clarified that the documentary aims to explore the practices of royal journalism, featuring insights from various journalists.
Earlier this year, Prince William censured the BBC for its mishandling of Martin Bashir’s 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana.
Sources revealed that officials at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and Clarence House were notably irked by the lack of access to the documentary prior to its broadcast.
In a statement featured at the conclusion of the first episode, the palace emphasized the importance of a free, accountable, and transparent press in upholding a robust democracy.
Nevertheless, the palace expressed disappointment when baseless claims from unnamed sources are presented as facts, urging media outlets, including the BBC, to exercise caution in lending credibility to such narratives.
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