This month, HBO will air The Princess, a documentary about Princess Diana, using only archival footage of Diana and the commentary around her at the time. The Princess will feature several minutes of her Panorama interview, which means that the royal establishment is gearing up to use this documentary as a test to try out some narratives. The larger establishment hissy fit will happen this fall, when The Crown’s Season 5 drops. The Crown recreates and dramatizes the Panorama interview, and Clarence House and Kensington Palace will have full-on meltdowns about it. So, as I said, The Princess is the test case. Page Six ran an exclusive about what Prince Harry and Prince William think about the documentary using the footage.
August 31 will mark 25 years that Princess Diana died in a tragic car crash in Paris. Her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, always honor the day privately and in somber reflection, with Harry, now 37, traditionally sending flowers to his mother’s final resting place on the grounds of Althorp Park, her family home.
But this year, the anniversary is also being marked by a new documentary, “The Princess,” which premieres Aug. 13 on HBO and HBO Max. The movie, directed, by Ed Perkins, uses thousands of hours of archive footage to tell the life story of Diana, who passed away at age 36. Included are scenes of her notorious BBC interview with journalist Martin Bashir, who has since been revealed as having used spurious methods to secure it. And Harry and William are said to be split on the footage being used.
“William and Harry are united in their distaste for the BBC and Bashir’s ethics regarding the interview. But they do have differing opinions,” one palace insider told Page Six.
While William, 40, has said that the episode should be locked away in the BBC vaults, never to be viewed again, Harry disagrees, according to multiple sources in the know.
“Harry has more condemnation for the media in this case, rather than the actual interview, and is said to not want the footage erased from history,” said the palace insider. “This is something that came together in the wrong way, but in the end it is still part of Diana’s story.”
Palace sources believe neither prince was asked about the footage being used for the documentary. A BBC spokesperson told Page Six they did not license the interview to “The Princess” filmmakers, saying: “There are no live or outstanding licenses for any or all of ‘An Interview with HRH The Princess of Wales’ (‘Panorama,’ 20/11/95) granted by any part of BBC Studios.” A film source told Page Six that, as the footage is considered “fair use,” there was no need to ask the BBC.
A spokesperson for “The Princess” said: “This feature documentary tells the story of Princess Diana exclusively through archive footage from the time, without commentary from today. This interview is shown briefly, in context, as a moment of historical record.”
I doubt Page Six has any scoop on how Harry actually feels, but I hope this IS how he feels. He’s allowed to have complicated feelings about it and he’s also allowed to intellectualize it from a distance and understand that Diana was trying to tell her story, however messy and however uncomfortable that made the establishment. Hell, Harry probably understands his mother’s actions even more since he did the same thing with Oprah and with AppleTV+.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Avalon Red.
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- Diana, Princess of Wales,Image: 514932301, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: John Shelley Collection / Avalon
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- Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, visit West Wales At Rhydyronen station on the Talyllyn Railway Diana’s coat dress is made of tan coloured checked wool with brown leather cuffs and collar and was designed by designer Arabella Pollen.,Image: 549311926, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: John Shelley Collection / Avalon
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- Diana, Princess of Wales, visits Liverpool Cathedral,Image: 552324728, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: John Shelley Collection / Avalon
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- Diana, Princess of Wales Arriving at a British Sports Association reception, 13 Grosvenor Crescent, London,Image: 552324786, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: John Shelley Collection / Avalon
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- Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, arrives at the A DAM Toren in Amsterdam, on September 03, 2019, to announce a new partnership between Booking.com, SkyScanner, CTrip, TripAdvisor and Visa, and unveil details of a new initiative he has been leading to help transform the travel industry Photo: Albert Nieboer / Netherlands OUT / Point de Vue OUT |
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- ** RIGHTS: ONLY UNITED STATES, BRAZIL, CANADA ** Windsor, UNITED KINGDOM – BGUK_1577801 – The Duke of Sussex speaking at Windsor Castle after Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy weighing 7lbs 3oz, in Windsor, Berkshire, UK. Pictured: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex BACKGRID USA 6 MAY 2019 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- London, UNITED KINGDOM – Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attends the draw for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 at Buckingham Palace. Pictured: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex BACKGRID USA 16 JANUARY 2020 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- London, UNITED KINGDOM – Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Bon Jovi depart after meeting members of the Invictus Games Choir at Abbey Road Studios in London. Pictured: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex BACKGRID USA 28 FEBRUARY 2020 BYLINE MUST READ: Cobra / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- New York, NY – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at a Harlem elementary school during their official visit to the Big Apple. Pictured: Prince Harry BACKGRID USA 24 SEPTEMBER 2021 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- New York, NY – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at a Harlem elementary school during their official visit to the Big Apple. Pictured: Prince Harry BACKGRID USA 24 SEPTEMBER 2021 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, on holiday in Majorca, Spain, with their sons Prince William and Prince Harry. They are guests of King Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife Queen Sofia. They are staying at their holiday home, the Marivent Palace, which is situated just outside the capital city of Palma.
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- HRH PRINCESS OF WALES (HRH Princess Diana). Seen at the VJ Day Celebrations. With Prince Harry
If it’s fair use, then can’t anyone post it? Add some commentary to critique it and post it in segments. YouTube it everywhere.
Fair use generally means using clips, not the entire thing. I’m not sure how divvying it up and critiquing it would effect that. That said, I have a copy I downloaded from Facebook, and I’m going to ensure it’s the entire thing – it’s 54 minutes long. The quality is that of a video tape copied a couple of times before being put on a computer – as in, grainy and very low quality, but it’s saved. And if it is, in fact, the entire interview, I fully intend to upload it to a variety of torrent sites.
That is amazing. Good for you! Use a VPN…
William wants to revise the past, present, and future and have us all live in his distorted version of reality because he grew up believing he was literally God’s gift and will be king some day. TOB the POP cannot face reality but I refuse to alter facts for his will. Harry is on the right side of history. And Diana said what she said. And meant it.
I’m not sure if William is trying to silence his mother or trying to proactively silence Kate
William says that the BBC interview perpetuates a false narrative. There’s no doubt that he wants to silence his mother. I don’t think Kate comes into this.
I think for William it does. Charles on the other hand wants to erase anything Diana said against him. William has a different motive
Thatsnotokay
I’m trying to keep up with these abbreviations, but they’re changing all the time!
TOB = The Other Brother = William from the old cover article?
POP = ?
Prince of Pegging. Look up the phrase online and for the Gawker article explaining it all—it was covered a little in a prior post here too. William is officially TOBPOP now.
I’m struggling too! 😑
I’ve had to ask from time to time as well. But once you know “the code” you feel like a true member of the CB club!
As far as I know what Diana said in the interview was true, her feelings. So although it was slimy how they got the interview I disagree with the Royal family that it should no longer be shown.
Yes tell them!!!!!
Protect your mother!!!!
I’m livid and I’m not even f-ing British.
Don’t silence women and don’t silence Diana who stood against all that filth.
Palace insider is their source…we already know what that means. Harry already said as much in his statement last year to the BBC.
Oprah alluded to the Diana interview when she interviewed Harry and Meghan and he said that at least they had each other and that his mother was alone when she did her interview. I don’t think there’s a palace insider that knows Harry’s thoughts about the BBC interview but it can be easily deduced from his statement and the fact that he is doing exactly what Diana did that he would not want his mother’s interview to be erased.
I agree with Harry’s position on this. The monarchy can’t erase her experience because they don’t like it and it reflects badly on them.
Yikes, imagine living in a world like that – endless scrutiny within and without and no control over your life. Imagine growing up in a world like that. All for the protection and preservation of an institution that has no reason to exist. Of course, William and the RF want to suppress and rewrite Diana’s story – it reveals more that just their bad behavior. It reveals the stupidity and waste and uselessness of their existence.
Diana blew the doors wide open on the palace’s and the Firm’s iron-fisted grasp on how the royal family rolls. It wasn’t pretty and she was so very very brave to do it, and I am in total agreement with Harry that her history was/is necessary to keep alive, especially since Meghan’s arrival in the BRF and the subsequent misery they put her through. Diana’s was a cautionary tale of how cruel and Machiavellian the royal family and their machinery are to this very day.
All. Of. This.
As Jaded notes, Diana was incredibly brave. She wasn’t perfect; no one is, but she was more human, and humane, than the RF ever has been. And Harry is right to want her voice — her story in her own words — to continue to be heard.
William is a disgrace.
(Also, on a shallow note, it appears that Charles’ fingers have always been plump and strangely shaped.)
I agree with you both, so much.
They want to silence her because she told ugly truths about an institution that uses PR and North Korea levels of Press Control to craft a false image. After she died the new narrative was that this institution had changed and learned from Diana and then Meghan and Harry’ Oprah interview blew up that lie.
Willy thinks undermining one undermines both. The idiot doesn’t realize that Andrew’s treatment by the press, firm and family compared to Harry’s treatment corroborates the Sussex version. Additionally how the cash for access and infidelity scandals are treated all demonstrate that this is corrupt, racist, misogynistic institution.
We don’t need Diana’s words anymore to see the rot.
The Princess **will** be a good test case of this new truth-burying approach to 25 years of history. Maybe a CB British lawyer can weigh in on the British interpretation of fair use, but I don’t see the interview staying buried, at least not in its entirety.
Page Six is not a Sussex source, at all, but Harry is all about mental fitness and trying to make Diana’s history and truth disappear is the very picture of unhealthy.
Their so called source is the statement Harry put out when the BBC initially concluded their investigation. He condemned the process but not the interview and referred to the larger harassment his mother had received as contributing to her death. The UK press in many cases didn’t print or report that part of his statement. He also defended his mother saying she was honest and talked about her strength and courage as a person. Contrast that to William who called her paranoid. So it was apparent from them that William and Harry were taking different paths on this issue. I wouldn’t be surprised though if BTS they initially tried to get Harry to go along with a joint statement of condemnation more in line with what William had to say and Harry refused. So there may very well be sources in KP who are leaking that. So the media is aware that there was a split between the two of them on that. IMO. That’s why they had William do that live statement. They thought it would overshadow anything Harry would say. But it backfired because people were so shocked that he would insult his mother. And then try to rewrite history with that BS “it created a false narrative” claim.
The saga of Charles and Diana has dogged Will and Harry their whole lives and each has determined their own narrative in trying to deal with it. It’s such a central issue of such long standing – I find it hard to believe the stories that they were the best of brothers until Meghan came along. It will be interesting to see Harry’s perspective in his memoir.
Catherine, they should have hired you for the PR head position, because you have nailed the moment where it all went wrong for Willnot re. talking about Diana.
He talks about her like she was a naughty pet, not his mother. Whoever is advising him should probably point out that Diana is a beloved icon, worldwide.
I tell my 12 year old that the most important lesson he is going to have to learn in his life is to get out of his own way. For my son, I mean letting outside influences color his opinion of himself, and adjusting according to people who don’t matter, in the grand scheme of things.
Someone has to inform Wills that he is his own worst enemy, at this point. Yes, malign your mother, and after that, check how many people have mothers. You will find we all do, and we all have complicated relationships with them, dead or alive.
William insulted his mother. Diana was not paranoid. She was reasonable to have felt whatever she felt about her husband and their 3-is-a-crowd marriage. She was a brave and courageous woman. She told it like it was.
Exactly.
I wish someone would silence William’s voice (kidding … mostly).
Diana is too beloved to be erased. Her voice needs to be heard.
I hope it’s not disrespectful to paraphrase Obi Wan here, but strike them down and they shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
bettyrose, Obi Wan is exactly the person to speak about this subject.
I imagine this article does closely align with Harry’s thoughts. He can hate what the BBC/Bashir did to get the interview, and accept that his mother said what she said. She wasn’t manipulated into lying about Charles, Camilla, and the Firm. She gave an account of her life. I can only imagine how Harry feels about William & Charles trying to silence Diana’s story again. If not for Oprah, they would have done it to him and Meghan, especially Meghan.
The most damaging part of the interview for the monarchy was Diana saying she didn’t think Charles should be king.
I think the queen is about to die, Charles is about to be king, and that’s why that interview is being discredited and locked away. The palace is cleaning up messes that might threaten Charles reign. Williams just going along with the palace/ preserving the monarchy.
He was upset about the interview from the beginning, and wished she’d been silenced from the beginning, so it’s not surprising he’d want it shut away now.
I don’t think I’ve *ever* appreciated how much he looks like his mother. Wow, those last two pictures . .
There are so many of us who lived with Diana’s struggles and cried for her, as well as with her. My heart stopped when the news of her accident and then death scrolled across the news. What Diana went thru for those boys and for her own dignity…how freaking dare anybody try to silence her. William is a disgrace (IMHO) to the memory of his remarkable mother.
I know exactly where I was when I heard about the accident and from whom, and again where I was several hours later when her death was announced.
I as well, bettyrose. To say that l and the people l was with were in a state of shock and disbelief is an understatement. Her death was so impactful to so many in the US. I watched her interview as well and her son now wanting to whitewash over her and negate her words is just so disgraceful.
You can add me to the group who remembers clearly where I was and what I was doing when I heard about her accident and that she died. As strange as it sounds, the only other person I didn’t personally know, but I remember where I was and what I was doing is when JFK died. I was 8. Both of those memories have stayed with me all of this time. TOBPOP really made mistake. I can’t wait until he comes to the US. Let’s see the reception he gets from the public.