BBC Documentary on Royal Family’s Relationship with Media Draws Criticism

A new BBC documentary exploring the Royal Family's connection with the media has come under fire from a journalist who featured in the two-part series.

Amanda Plattell expressed her disappointment with how her comments were portrayed in “The Princes and the Press” after the initial episode aired on BBC Two.

Plattell claimed that despite spending at least two hours in conversation with host Amol Rajan, her screen time was condensed to less than two minutes of selective quotes.

Feeling deceived, she stated, “I felt utterly conned.”

Seeking to avoid further controversy, Plattell requested to see any other edits of their conversation that might be included in the second episode airing on Monday.

However, Rajan responded that it was impossible to share as they were still working on the program.

Plattell believes that viewers have already formed their opinions about the fairness of the series.

She criticized the producers for granting Meghan's lawyer, Jenny Affia, an opportunity to speak at length without challenge, while denying the same opportunity to the Royal Family.

Additionally, she noted the disproportionate prominence given to Omid Scobie, a co-author of a biography known for his support of Meghan.

In an article for the Daily Mail, Plattell described the documentary as both a hatchet job on the palace and the press and a hagiography of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

She expressed her shame in being associated with “The Princes and the Press” and felt let down by Rajan, whom she believed had misled her.

During the first episode, Rajan highlighted two of Plattell's critical columns about the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, even though she had written numerous articles in their favor.

This led her to believe that she was being used to bolster Meghan's case.

The controversy surrounding the documentary has extended beyond Plattell's concerns.

Reports suggest that other members of the Royal Family have threatened to boycott the BBC due to their dissatisfaction with the series.

“The Princes and the Press,” scheduled to air on BBC Two at 9 pm, delves into the royal family's relationship with the media, with a particular focus on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The two-part series, presented by Amol Rajan, has received complaints from Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Prince William, as the palace was denied permission to preview it.

The royal family fears that the documentary may portray Prince William in a negative light, suggesting he and Prince Harry briefed the media against each other through their aides.

This concern arises from the first episode's exploration of how the princes managed their relationships with the press in the years leading up to Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2017.

The second episode, covering the period from 2018 to 2021, delves into a more turbulent time for the royals, including the birth of Harry and Meghan's son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, royal tours, and the Sussexes' decision to step back from their royal duties.

It is also expected to delve into the couple's legal battles against British newspapers.

Critics have questioned the impartiality of Amol Rajan, the BBC's media editor and presenter of the documentary, as he has previously expressed criticism of the monarchy.

In a column written for The Independent in 2012, Rajan described Britain having an unelected head of state as absurd.

These concerns raise doubts about the fairness and objectivity of the documentary.

As tensions continue to rise between the royal family and the BBC, the future of their relationship remains uncertain.

The controversy surrounding “The Princes and the Press” has cast a shadow over the documentary and its portrayal of the Royal Family's complex connection with the media.