Royal households blast BBC over William and Harry documentary in rare joint statement - 7NEWS.com.au

The royal family has blasted the BBC for airing “overblown and unfounded claims” about Princes William and Harry.

It comes after the first of a two-episode series called The Princes and the Press aired in the United Kingdom on Monday.

The documentary explores the relationship of the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex with the media and their highly-publicised rift in recent years.

The first episode made shocking claims that leaks to journalists about Meghan Markle’s alleged poor treatment of staff shortly after the royal wedding in 2018 came from other royal households.

In a rare joint statement, the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William said it was “disappointing” the British public broadcaster gave credibility to the claims.

Prince Harry and Prince William appear to have fallen out in recent years. Credit: Getty Images

“A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy,” it reads.

“However, too often it is overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources that are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.”

The royal households have released a rare joint statement to blast the documentary. Credit: Getty Images

During the programme, a lawyer for the Duchess of Sussex said stories about Meghan’s alleged treatment of palace staff were “false.”.

In March, it was reported that the duchess allegedly drove out two personal assistants and “humiliated” staff on several occasions.

An investigation into the claims, which Meghan strongly denies, has been launched by Buckingham Palace

“This narrative that no one can work for the Duchess of Sussex, she was too difficult and demanding as a boss and everyone had to leave, it’s just not true,” the lawyer said.

Meghan Markle’s lawyer has said claims she bullied staff are “false.” Credit: Getty

Sunrise Royal Editor Rob Jobson said the royal family are “clearly disgruntled” about the doco.

“They’re clearly worried about this documentary.”

He added that there is clear evidence of the family leaking to the press in recent years, as exposed in the first episode to have aired.

“They can deny it all they like until they’re blue in the face, but there’s been an awful lot of leaking, particularly from Kensington Palace,” he said.

Watch Rob Jobson speak to Natalie Barr below

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The Princes and the Press was promoted as telling the story “of one of the most dramatic periods in modern royal history” and how William and Harry’s relationship with the media changed following the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The second part of the documentary, which will examine the period from 2018 to 2021, is set to air next Monday.

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2021-11-23 20:15:00Z
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