Harry welcomes investigation into his mother Princess Di’s BBC interview
Princess Diana, Princess of Wales with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, who have supported an inquiry into the BBC interview. Photo: Getty
Prince Harry has joined his brother William in welcoming a new investigation into how the BBC secured a famous and controversial 1995 interview with their mother Princess Diana, with a source describing it as a “drive for truth”.
A former British Supreme Court justice is leading a new inquiry into how the broadcaster obtained the interview and whether executives covered up any wrongdoing after accusations the late princess was tricked into taking part.
Prince William, the second in line to the throne, said earlier this week the investigation was a step in the right direction and a source close to Harry said on Saturday the prince was getting regular updates.
The person familiar with the situation also questioned some British media reports that asked why Harry, living in California with his wife Meghan and son Archie, had not joined his brother in welcoming the investigation earlier.
“Sadly, some people are not just seeing this as a drive for truth but also trying to use this as an opportunity to try to drive a wedge between the brothers,” the person said.
Diana’s Panorama interview with Martin Bashir was watched by more than 20 million viewers in Britain and became one of the defining moments of her failed marriage to Prince Charles.
It included an admission of an affair and the line that there “were three of us in this marriage”, referring to Charles’ relationship with his now second wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles.
The BBC interview included Princess Diana’s admission about her marriage. Photo: Getty
This month, Diana’s brother Charles Spencer said the BBC had failed to apologise for what he said were forged documents and “other deceit” that led him to introduce Diana to Bashir.
The BBC has said the broadcaster is determined to get to the truth about Spencer’s assertions and has appointed John Dyson, one of the country’s most senior retired judges, to lead the inquiry.
Mr Bashir has made no public comment on the situation and the corporation says the journalist, who gained global renown from the interview, is on sick leave, recovering from heart surgery and from contracting COVID-19.
