Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William to file complaint over BBC royal documentary in unprecedented move

The Royal Family was refused permission to view The Princes and the Press ahead of its airing

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(Image credit: Getty)

The Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William are reportedly set to file a complaint about a new BBC documentary, in a Royal Family first. 


The Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William have teamed up to retaliate against a new BBC royal documentary, according to inside sources. 

Her Majesty and her heirs are reportedly threatening to cut ties with the British broadcaster after its refusal to allow them to view The Princes and the Press, a controversial two-part series about Harry and William’s alleged feud, ahead of the premiere of its first episode last night (Monday, 22 November). 

The trio is also said to be filing a complaint to Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, in an unprecedented royal move. It comes just a few months after Prince William condemned the BBC's Princess Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir and urged for it to “never be aired again.” 

It’s understood that The Princes and the Press has claimed that Harry and William ordered royal couriers to plant smears against each other in the tabloids— an allegation the Royal Family vehemently denies. 

If the claims are included in the final edit, the Queen, who is reportedly “upset” by the ordeal, could end her relationship with the BBC altogether. A boycott of the national broadcaster, which has worked with the Royal Family on numerous projects including Prince Philip’s documentary, will almost certainly jeopardize plans for future collaborations. 

With BBC showing no signs of pulling the plug on the second episode of The Princes and the Press, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and Clarence House have issued the following joint statement: 

"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 of The Princes And The Press aired on BBC Two last night at 9 pm. The series examines the British media coverage of Prince Harry’s ‘conflict’ with his older brother William, as well as his high-profile withdrawal from the Royal Family with Meghan Markle. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.