‘Our Mother Lost Her Life Because of This,’ said Prince William and Prince Harry of the BBC interview in 1995.
Aside from the drama, Prince William and Prince Harry are putting on a united front after it was revealed that former BBC reporter Martin Bashir used “deceptive” methods to acquire the explosive 1995 interview with Princess Diana.
The BBC “fell short of its high standards of honesty and transparency” by covering up the deceptive methods, which included fabricating documents to pretend that aides close to her were chatting to the press, according to the independent review. The BBC later apologized, saying it was “extremely sorry.”
Princes William and Harry are now speaking out against the BBC and media culture. The brothers said in separate statements that the interview had harmed their family in more ways than one.
In his statement, William said that the BBC and Bashir’s use of forged documents to get the interview with his mother is “concerning” and that the BBC “played into her anxieties and exacerbated [her] paranoia.” William also claimed that the “deceptive” method of collecting the interview “affected what my mother stated” during the 1995 interview.
“The interview was a huge influence to making my parents’ relationship worse and has since damaged numerous others. It fills me with indescribable anguish to know that the BBC’s failures contributed considerably to her anxiety, paranoia, and loneliness in those final years with her.”
A statement on today’s report of The Dyson Investigation pic.twitter.com/uS62CNwiI8
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 20, 2021
William went on to suggest that the BBC and leaders who choose to turn the other way rather than ask tough questions “failed” Princess Diana. He closed his comments by noting that the BBC had failed the public and his family.
Prince Harry made a similar speech shortly after William. According to Harry’s statement, the “ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and immoral behavior eventually took her life.”
“Our mother was a wonderful woman who dedicated her life to service. “She was tenacious, courageous, and undeniably honest,” Harry wrote. “Thank you to those who have accepted some form of accountability. That is the first step in the direction of justice and truth.”
BREAKING: Prince Harry has issued a statement in response to the investigation into Martin Bashir's 1995 BBC interview with Princess Diana:
"The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life." pic.twitter.com/ZiWT7Yw0Ui
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) May 20, 2021
However, the prince said he is still “very concerned” because similar behaviors are still prevalent today. “Both then and now, it is bigger than any single outlet, network, or publication.”
“Our mother died due to this, and nothing has changed. We protect everyone and respect the dignity with which she lived her life by preserving her legacy. Let us remember who she was and what she represented.”
Prince Harry has long been interested in stopping the terrible cycle of tabloid stories and fake news, especially since marrying Meghan Markle.
