BBC The Princes and the Press

[coniferforest]

Did anyone watch this last night? About William and Harry and their different approaches to the press. Last night was part 1 of 2.

Omid Scobie tweeted that his sections were filmed in October last year

Good grief, so more than a year ago? So if the lawyer was filmed in even vaguely the same timescale, she couldn't have known a lot that's come out since

I realise of course it was the bullying she was denying rather than the collusion - although they later denied that on Meghan's behalf too - but as said, I wonder if they'll be quite so keen on the case now

Actually that's a point - dooes anyone know if this 2-parter was made before Meghan's lie about collaboration came out or afterwards?

It was reported that the second part has had to be heavily edited in light of Meghan’s admission that she misled the court.

It seemed a rather pointless programme adding little to what we already know and if the interviews were filmed over a year ago then out of date too.
I read a theory on Twitter it is more about introducing Amol to a wider TV audience) the kind that likes programs about the royals - like me I suppose, although I already like Amol as a presenter).
Given how pointless this particular program is and how episode 2 has been extensively re written that seems a plausible theory!

There was quite a bit I didn't know and there's part 2 to come too. I don't think it's pointless... if it was, the Palace wouldn't have put out a statement slamming it... they would've just ignored it.

When is part two? I was really surprised the lawyer was just flat out that’s a lie not even ‘my client denies’

I think in a way the reaction from Kensington Palace is more interesting than the programme itself. But I didn't think it was pointless - you don't often get to hear things from the horse's mouth so I found that quite fascinating, and I think it adds to the debate about the press and their behaviour.

Same time next week, Monday 9pm

I don't see how it is pointless.
I mean there are a lot of pointless Royal stories out there based on pure conjecture i.e. will the Royal christening gown be used for both babies in the joint christening? Conclusion - we don't know.
But this was interesting because it was about the relationship between the RF and the press. And that is an ongoing issue even if the details change.

You don't often get to hear things from the horse's mouth so I found that quite fascinating

So did I; ghastly as they can be it was interesting to hear "their side" for once, even though Amol's questioning could have gone deeper

About the RF objections though, I still think they'll resent the "lazy William" thing being raised again, but it's just possible they know more about Part 2 than we do ... after all it wouldn't be the first time they'd used "sources" to get information

Agree that this is a boring and irrelevant program that I would have flicked right passed when watching TV. (My opinion)
But the RF's reaction has fascinated me and now I'm interested.
Perhaps they should've just stayed quiet about it? I think William has an axe to grind over the Martin Bashir interview and that's where this has come from.

You could well be right about the Martin Bashir thing, muggle, and you certainly are about the palace drawing attention to this; I didn't even know it was on until I read about their reaction, and don't imagine I was alone

But for the noise they've made it may have stayed as just that - noise - and now it's yet another tawdry story to go with all the rest

But they can't expect a documentary to just be lavish praise about the RF. It could have talked about many more stories critical of RF, it has been very mild.

Personally I think there has been this reaction from the RF because next episode is going to cover a leak that H&M are leaving in advance of them wanting to announce it. That's what I've read anyway!

The RF joining forces to say they're annoyed has just drawn attention to it, so that is strange.

Interesting thought, Roussette. There are so many possibilities, and between the spin and the outright lies I doubt we'll ever know what the RF's real motivation is

All that seems clear is that their poor judgement had led to them mishandling this

Again

Coming on late - thought it was interesting that the palace has now taken themselves to ITV with something Kate is doing - BBC definitely being punished.

bit surprised about the palace binning the BBC, if thats true. PW just did a big thing on there

Might be as much to do with Wills feeling Auntie has failed to curtsey deeply enough on the subject of the 1995 Bashir interview as any real outrage.

I thought the doc was pretty insipid. Hoping for fireworks next week but not holding my breath.

The RF are being foolish then. It might not lead to a backlash from the BBC, but journalists move around and it could have an impact on them at a later point.

@upinaballoon I know that’s why she signs off the laws, I’m just saying the amount of real power is a lot more than most people think. There’s that whole process where new draft bills are run past her to make sure she’ll sign them if and when they do pass.

@rubicscubicle - I wouldn't believe a word Dan Wootten uttered.

In the case of the early emails, I think those that work for the Royal Family as staff are expected to be available, so yes, they would be expected to answer early emails, etc or crack on with whatever demands.
In the case of press, unfortunately, you cannot stop the press or social media speculating of stories/feuds/crying/ tiaras, etc
since last year, I have been totally gobsmacked on the numerous youtube video channels that anyone can set up, where you can say anything you like (more or less).
Yes, I was looking for something, and amazing amount of stuff, which either supports one narrative or another.
The point is, you literally cannot stop it.
The question is whether any negative stories were planted by one side or another.
Camilla Tominey (royal reporter on the Telegraph?) has said that is not where she gets her stories from, and I am inclined to believe her.

There’s that whole process where new draft bills are run past her to make sure she’ll sign them if and when they do pass

I expect that Queen's Consent you're thinking of, Foxglove. Craftily named so that folk get confused with Queen's Assent, it's where new laws which affect the monarch or her duchy are indeed passed by her before even reaching parliament, so she can veto anything she doesn't like

Interestingly Charles has been given the same privilege, even though the concession was supposed to be for the monarch only ... what was that someone said about them being under the same laws as the rest of us??

It was interesting to see how positive the coverage was of Meghan and Harry at first. The imagery and the headlines, particularly about "Meghan Mania".
It all changed so rapidly.

I don't think it was entirely positive. The "straight outta Compton" headline and Rachel Johnson's article were there right at the start. But after they got back from their Australian tour there was definitely a change. All very strange.

Rachel Johnson's piece stood out in that respect. I had felt that there was a lot of positivity, but wondered if I had misremembered. However, the headlines and the imagery in the msm were positive at the start.
I thought it was interesting when Rajan tried to pinpoint the moment of change, which he suggests was the tiara argument.

I thought it was dull and told us nothing new. I can't understand why the Firm have got their knickers in a twist over it - better to have ignored?