BBC faces fresh fury from William after ‘allowing Netflix to film key Martin Bashir scenes for The Crown at Broadcasting House’ despite prince’s plea for notorious interview never to be aired again
- Netflix producers are reportedly seen filming outside New Broadcasting House
- Allegedly filming scenes portraying events surrounding Diana’s BBC interview
- Report found BBC covered up Mr Bashir’s ‘deceitful behaviour’ to secure chat
- This led to a call from Prince William for 1995 interview never to be aired again
BBC bosses have allegedly allowed Netflix to film scenes for The Crown at its London headquarters to recreate scenes surrounding Princess Diana’s Panorama interview.
Producers were reportedly spotted outside New Broadcasting House filming scenes portraying events before and after her 1995 chat with Martin Bashir on the BBC.
Actor Richard Cordery, 71 – playing Marmaduke Hussey, then chairman of the BBC’s board of governors – was seen getting out of a car and walking into the building.
The scene is said to have recreated when Lord Hussey arrived amid the fall-out from the programme in which Diana said: ‘There were three of us in this marriage.’
The filming allegedly took place six months after a report by Lord Dyson concluded the BBC covered up ‘deceitful behaviour’ used by Mr Bashir to secure the interview.
Princess Diana is seen during her interview with Martin Bashir for the BBC’s Panorama in 1995
The BBC allegedly allowed Netflix to film The Crown at New Broadcasting House (file image)
Lord Dyson released a report in May into Diana’s BBC interview with Martin Bashir in 1995
The BBC and Mr Bashir both apologised, and the BBC wrote to Princes William and Harry. The report led to a call from William for the interview never to be aired again.
The BBC is claimed to have given formal permission for Netflix to film at its offices, and it is understood that The Crown will also dramatise Diana’s interview itself.
Did BBC tone down Harry and Meghan documentary?
The BBC last night appeared to back down on claims that Buckingham Palace briefed against Harry and Meghan after being accused of peddling ‘overblown and unfounded’ allegations.
A BBC Two documentary examining the relationship between the royal households and the media also stepped back from suggestions that William allowed aides to brief about his brother’s mental health – which was categorically denied by, and deeply offended many in, the royal household.
BBC journalist Amol Rajan in a publicity photograph for The Princes and The Press
The two-part documentary series, fronted by BBC journalist Amol Rajan, had already drawn unprecedented censure from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace.
The royal households believe it contains a slew of unsubstantiated and categorically inaccurate accusations about collusion with the media, particularly in connection with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the tumultuous period of their decision to quit royal duties, dubbed ‘Megxit’.
The households’ lawyers had been preparing to examine the final programme with a fine-tooth comb and had not ruled out a formal complaint. But last night’s prime-time offering had seemingly been watered-down at the 11th hour, with editing going on up until the last minute. Plans for an accompanying podcast have also been postponed by the BBC.
A TV source told The Sun: ‘It’s unbelievable that in the middle of a major fight with William and the Royal Family over its documentary, the BBC would allow Netflix to film on their property.
‘The BBC and Netflix are joining forces to do the one thing William doesn’t want — dramatising the Panorama interview which is a part of his life he has said he does not wish to revisit.’
In May, Lord Dyson’s report into Diana’s Panorama interview concluded Bashir was in ‘serious breach’ of the BBC’s producer guidelines when he faked bank statements and showed them to Earl Spencer to gain access to the princess for the interview.
Earlier this month, Earl Spencer said he rejected The Crown’s request to film at his family home of Althorp.
The forthcoming fifth series of the royal Netflix drama stars Elizabeth Debicki as his late sister, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast at his family estate in West Northamptonshire, Earl Spencer said he had declined when producers of The Crown asked to film on the site.
He said: ‘They applied. They wanted to shoot here. But I don’t really do that stuff. Actually, to be honest, I don’t watch The Crown so I just said: ‘Thank you but no thank you.’
Last month it was reported Earl Spencer could bring a private prosecution over the Bashir scandal after the Metropolitan Police said it had found no evidence of criminality.
And the revelation over filming at New Broadcasting House comes a fortnight after it emerged The Crown’s producers filmed the controversial Diana revenge dress scene only 800 yards from Prince William’s bedroom at Kensington Palace
The Netflix series recreated the evening Diana stepped out in an off the shoulder, tight black dress in a break with royal protocol after Prince Charles admitted to adultery on TV.
The scene was filmed in the same spot in Kensington Gardens that Diana arrived at a dinner at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994 – a position that can almost be viewed from Prince William’s bedroom.
Also earlier this month, royal expert Penny Junor said the makers of The Crown had stuck up ‘two fingers’ at the Royal Family by casting the stepdaughter of IRA supporter Roy Greenslade in the role of Countess Mountbatten.
Ms Junor said Natascha McElhone, 51, was not responsible for the ‘sins of her stepfather’. But she said another actress should have been considered because of the role’s sensitive nature.
The forthcoming fifth series of the Netflix drama The Crown stars Elizabeth Debicki as Diana
Earl Spencer told BBC Breakfast reporter Sally Nugent earlier this month that he had rejected The Crown’s request to film at his family home of Althorp in Northamptonshire
Former Fleet Street editor and Guardian columnist Mr Greenslade, who edited the Daily Mirror and held a top job at The Sun, revealed his support for the IRA earlier this year.
Prince Charles acknowledges ‘atrocity of slavery’ as Barbados becomes a republic
The Prince of Wales has acknowledged the ‘appalling atrocity of slavery’, describing it as something ‘which forever stains our history’, during the ceremony marking Barbados’ historic transition to a republic.
The Prince of Wales speaks today at the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at Heroes Square in Bridgetown, Barbados
Charles summed up the period when the UK was one of the leading players in the transatlantic slave trade as the ‘darkest days of our past’, but looking to the future said the ‘creation of this republic offers a new beginning’.
The prince will be head of state of many nations in the Caribbean when he becomes king and his words will resonate across the region.
Barbados’ ties with the British monarchy going back centuries were severed when the nation’s first president, Dame Sandra Mason, was sworn into office replacing the Queen as head of state during a televised open-air ceremony in the capital Bridgetown.
In a message to the president and the people of Barbados the Queen sent the new republic her ‘warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace and prosperity in the future’ and praised the nation which has a ‘special place’ in her heart for ‘its vibrant culture, its sporting prowess, and its natural beauty’.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK and Barbados will remain ‘steadfast friends and allies’ with ‘a partnership built to last’.
The heir to the throne watched the symbolic moment as the Queen’s standard was lowered for the last time and the presidential flag raised in its place at midnight local time, on November 30, the 55th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Meanwhile royal experts have also been demanding that Prince Harry tears up his £112million Netflix deal and makes a stand over The Crown’s portrayal of Diana.
Royal biographer Angela Levin criticised the Duke of Sussex for not ‘finding his voice’ over the streaming giant’s controversial portrayal of his mother.
It comes after Diana’s friend Jemima Khan withdrew her support for The Crown over its ‘disrespectful’ script after she broke up with the show’s creator.
Harry and Meghan Markle signed a deal with the streaming service last year for their new production company to make documentaries, feature films, scripted shows and children’s programming.
The fifth series of The Crown, due to air in November 2022, will see Dominic West star as the Prince of Wales opposite Miss Debicki as Diana.
The Wire star West takes over the role of Charles from Josh O’Connor, while The Night Manager actress Miss Debicki will replace Emma Corrin.
Imelda Staunton will take over the role of the Queen from Olivia Colman, while Jonathan Pryce will replace Tobias Menzies as the Duke of Edinburgh and Lesley Manville will take on Princess Margaret, following in the footsteps of Helena Bonham Carter.
It comes as the BBC last night appeared to back down on claims that Buckingham Palace briefed against Harry and Meghan after being accused of peddling ‘overblown and unfounded’ allegations.
A BBC Two documentary examining the relationship between the royal households and the media also stepped back from suggestions that William allowed aides to brief about his brother’s mental health – which was categorically denied by, and deeply offended many in, the royal household.
The two-part documentary series, fronted by BBC journalist Amol Rajan, had already drawn unprecedented censure from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace.
The royal households believe it contains a slew of unsubstantiated and categorically inaccurate accusations about collusion with the media, particularly in connection with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the tumultuous period of their decision to quit royal duties, dubbed ‘Megxit’.
The households’ lawyers had been preparing to examine the final programme with a fine-tooth comb and had not ruled out a formal complaint.
But last night’s prime-time offering had seemingly been watered-down at the 11th hour, with editing going on up until the last minute.
Plans for an accompanying podcast have also been postponed by the BBC. A royal source said: ‘It is unlikely the matter will be taken further.’
The programme did, however, give significant airtime to Meghan’s personal solicitor, who went on the attack to defend the duchess against accusations of bullying, denying she had ever ‘improperly’ used her ‘power’.
MailOnline has today contacted the BBC, Netflix and Kensington Palace for comment over the report on New Broadcasting House being used for filming.
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