Prince Harry was a part of a controversial interview with the BBC last week following his legal setback concerning his UK security. The Duke of Sussex alleged that the establishment was behind his losing the legal appeal. But the BBC has now admitted that there has been a slip in their editorial standards as they failed to contest the claims by Prince Harry.
Following his defeat in the court of appeal over his UK security, Prince Harry sat for a lengthy discussion with the BBC in California. The British Royal reflected on several issues, starting from the repercussions of losing the case to his emotional family problems.
BBC admits a major mistake in their interview with Prince Harry
Prince Harry | Credits: BBC / YouTubeNot long after the controversial interview, the BBC clarified on Radio 4’s Today programme that their Prince Harry interview had some glaring issues. The Duke of Sussex made a controversial claim that his legal defeat was a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up“.
The British broadcaster took over its Corrections and Clarifications website to admit that Today failed to question the Duke’s claims and many other controversial allegations.
The programme covered the latest developments in the story of Prince Harry and his legal case around protection for him and his family in the UK and interviewed former close protection officer Richard Aitch to get a broader understanding of security considerations. Claims were repeated that the process had been ‘an establishment stitch-up‘ and we failed to properly challenge this and other allegations.
The BBC added that the interview was “a lapse in our usual high editorial standards” as it failed to reflect the views of the Home Office as well. As the case is “ultimately the responsibility of the Home Office“, the BBC apologized and felt that they should have highlighted the Home Office’s statement.
‘We are pleased that the Court has found in favour of the Government’s position in this case. The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.‘
The BBC then also published Buckingham Palace’s statement on the high-profile court case: “All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.“
Prince Harry has claimed that the legal loss has made it unlikely for him, Meghan Markle, or their kids to permanently return to the U.K. He has also expressed his desire to reconcile with his family. But sadly, it looks nearly impossible, as some reports have claimed that Prince Harry’s words did not leave a good mark at Buckingham Palace.
The BBC interview has seemingly made it more difficult for Prince Harry
Prince Harry on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | Credits: CBSThe 40-year-old British royal looked extremely emotional after the legal defeat. He was sad thinking he “won’t be able to show my children my homeland.” Later in the conversation, Prince Harry also said that “life is precious” and he finds no point in fighting anymore.
Although Prince Harry expressed his hope to reconcile with his family, he admitted that King Charles III “won’t speak to me because of this security stuff.” A recent report by the Telegraph has confirmed that this might be a reality, as Buckingham Palace is extremely disappointed in the Prince’s accusations.
Prince Harry said to the BBC that he wants to reconcile with his family, as he does not know “how much longer” his father has left to live. The Telegraph reported that the Palace insiders considered this statement to be in “poor taste“.
Additionally, the Telegraph also stated that a source told ITV News that “it’s certainly a very curious way to build bridges” for the Prince, who wants to get back to his family. Another source also went as far as to claim that the Late Queen would have been horrified at such a state of affairs.