Story at a glance
- Princes William and Harry slammed BBC leadership and journalist Martin Bashir — who allegedly convinced Princess Diana to grant him a now famous interview by using fake documents — saying Bashir and the network’s actions “led to the death” of their mother.
- William and Harry, amid their own recently rocky relationship, issued separate statements on Thursday, following the release of Lord Dyson’s report on the matter.
- Bashir has since resigned as religion editor at the BBC, and the network sent apology letters to members of the Royal family, including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, as well as William and Harry.
Princes William and Harry slammed on Thursday BBC leadership and journalist Martin Bashir — who allegedly convinced Princess Diana to grant him a now famous interview by using fake documents — saying Bashir and the network’s actions “led to the death” of their mother.
William and Harry, amid their own recently rocky relationship, issued separate statements on Thursday, following the release of Lord Dyson’s report on the matter, Page Six reported. The report details how Bashir used fake documents, including bank statements, to trick Diana into giving him the 1995 interview.
Prince William argued the “deceitful way the interview was obtained” served to influence what Diana said and “made his parents’ relationship worse.”
“It brings indescribable sadness to know that the BBC’s failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her,” William said.
“But what saddens me most, is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she had been deceived. She was failed not just by a rogue reporter, but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions,” William added.
America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
During the interview, Princess Diana referred to an affair between her estranged husband, Prince Charles, and Camilla Parker Bowles. Diana’s comments led Queen Elizabeth to request that Diana and Charles formally divorce, which cost Diana her title and royal security detail. Diana died in a car crash in 1997 two years after the interview while in Paris with boyfriend Dodi Fayed.
Bashir has since resigned as religion editor at the BBC, and the network sent apology letters to members of the Royal family, including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, as well as William and Harry, according to Page Six.
Prince Harry thanked those who’ve owned up to past mistakes but condemned media practices he believes are still in use today, insinuating that the issues at hand may be more widespread than “one outlet, one network, or one publication.”
“Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed. By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone, and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life,” he said. “Let’s remember who she was and what she stood for.”
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
CHRISSY TEIGEN APOLOGIZES FOR BEING A CYBER BULLY
ELON MUSK WAS NOT THE FIRST ‘SNL’ HOST WITH ASPERGER’S
DWYANE WADE AND GABRIELLE UNION OPEN UP ABOUT RAISING A TRANS DAUGHTER
‘JEOPARDY’ ERUPTS IN CONTROVERSY AFTER WINNER ALLEGEDLY FLASHES WHITE POWER SIGN
changing america copyright.
