Bashir and The Royal Family

[Colr]

This noise about how an old but influential interview was obtained feels very much like the establishment rewriting history and preparing a suitable narrative for the next monarch.

Is the Queen about to peg it?

[Skol]

This noise about how an old but influential interview was obtained feels very much like the establishment rewriting history and preparing a suitable narrative for the next monarch.

Is the Queen about to peg it?

I am not sure that really would make any difference. yes Bashir did things he shouldnt have done and the BBC turned a blind eye to it. Doesn't change the fact that Charles (and Diana) had an affair or that their were problems in the marriage. Chances are that the interview did bring about the divorce and without it Diana would still be alive and married to Charles.

[hibsbollah]

Looks like a successful bit of PR by The Firm.

Press stops talking about Andrew.
Press stops talking about royal racism.
The Firm gets to create the false narrative that the Firm and Charles didn’t bully and marginalise Diana, and that somehow because Martin Bashir lied to help get his interview, the whole story somehow becomes about the BBC.
The rest of the press are happy because they get to carry on their normal campaign against the BBC.
The Tories are happy because it fits their normal campaign against the BBC.

[Santa Cruz]

I am not sure that really would make any difference. yes Bashir did things he shouldnt have done and the BBC turned a blind eye to it. Doesn't change the fact that Charles (and Diana) had an affair or that their were problems in the marriage. Chances are that the interview did bring about the divorce and without it Diana would still be alive and married to Charles.

I think they would have divorced eventually, the interview just hastened it. Whether people like them or not, two young boys lost their Mum in tragic circumstances. They will understandably view that imo as quite probable that it wouldn't have happened if the interview had never taken place.

Bashir is no better than a tabloid hack, falsifying documents and gaining her trust by isolating her from people she previously trusted. His bosses at the BBC who covered this up are no better.

I thought William spoke very well. I'm neither for or against the monarchy. I think they can all manipulate the media when it suits. I do feel for any young children (royal or not) that has lost a parent.

[JeMeSouviens]

I think they would have divorced eventually, the interview just hastened it. Whether people like them or not, two young boys lost their Mum in tragic circumstances. They will understandably view that imo as quite probable that it wouldn't have happened if the interview had never taken place.

Bashir is no better than a tabloid hack, falsifying documents and gaining her trust by isolating her from people she previously trusted. His bosses at the BBC who covered this up are no better.

I thought William spoke very well. I'm neither for or against the monarchy. I think they can all manipulate the media when it suits. I do feel for any young children (royal or not) that has lost a parent.

What's the thinking behind that, SC?

[Future17]

There are obviously lots of vested interests and agendas at work here with regard to the Royal Family and the current Government's ambitions for greater control of the media in the UK, but I think that facts of what Bashir and the BBC did (or failed to do) have been established and are undisputed. I can't understand why Bashir wouldn't be facing criminal charges.

Separately, regardless of your views on the monarchy and the William and Harry individually, I'm sure we can all put ourselves in their shoes with regard to this chapter of their lives and how we'd feel if our own mothers had been deceived in this manner. I'm no fan of the system of monarchy, but I've got great sympathy with the pair of them here.

[Billy Whizz]

Why has this taken 21 years to come out?
Not been following it closely, but remember the interviews from back then

[Santa Cruz]

What's the thinking behind that, SC?

If Diana hadn't been isolated from her key aides, people she had previously trusted and made to think one of them was being paid as an informer, I think she would have been advised against doing the interview. She wouldn't have been cut off from the Royal's in the way she was and would have had far better security, potentially avoiding the Paris incident altogether which cost her, her life.

That's how I think her son's will view it.

[JeMeSouviens]

Why has this taken 21 years to come out?
Not been following it closely, but remember the interviews from back then

See hibsbollah's post above.

I don't think public sentiment around Charles and Camilla is particularly strong and the Diana stuff was bound to resurface when they're up for coronation. So try and get a bit ahead of the curve by neutralising some of it?

[JeMeSouviens]

If Diana hadn't been isolated from her key aides, people she had previously trusted and made to think one of them was being paid as an informer, I think she would have been advised against doing the interview. She wouldn't have been cut off from the Royal's in the way she was and would have had far better security, potentially avoiding the Paris incident altogether which cost her, her life.

That's how I think her son's will view it.

Interesting, thanks. Lots of murkiness all round. Did Bashir have a background with the tabloids? Seems right out of their playbook.

[Santa Cruz]

Interesting, thanks. Lots of murkiness all round. Did Bashir have a background with the tabloids? Seems right out of their playbook.

No idea about his history. I hear what people are saying about other agenda's, I listened to William and all I heard was the human side to this story and the life long impact of a child losing a parent.

[JimBHibees]

This noise about how an old but influential interview was obtained feels very much like the establishment rewriting history and preparing a suitable narrative for the next monarch.

Is the Queen about to peg it?

Exactly what I thought might also allow the Tories with a Tory director general to restructure the BBC

Williams comments are interesting. It damaged my parents relationship, dear oh dear, seemed like that was damaged beyond repair way before that. Trying to smooth the way for Charles.

[Billy Whizz]

See hibsbollah's post above.

I don't think public sentiment around Charles and Camilla is particularly strong and the Diana stuff was bound to resurface when they're up for coronation. So try and get a bit ahead of the curve by neutralising some of it?

Ok ta, see what he means

[Pretty Boy]

I just feel sorry for Harry.

For all the privileges he has in his life he seems a bit of a lost soul. You can see why he wanted to take his own family away from all that. For all the talk of the modernising monarchy he was treated totally differently from his brother because of their respective positions, or rather his lack of a position.

I think it's quite evident he struggled and still does struggle with his mother's death and the support network is woefully lacking.

[BroxburnHibee]

Personally think Diana knew fine well what that interview would do. She's not blameless.

[Crunchie]

I just feel sorry for Harry.

For all the privileges he has in his life he seems a bit of a lost soul. You can see why he wanted to take his own family away from all that. For all the talk of the modernising monarchy he was treated totally differently from his brother because of their respective positions, or rather his lack of a position.

I think it's quite evident he struggled and still does struggle with his mother's death and the support network is woefully lacking.
I agree with everything you say. Seeing the footage again today I think it was incredibly cruel to send the boys out, and him especially as the youngest to meet the public after the funeral, you could see he was hurting badly.

[JeMeSouviens]

Beeb news at 10 going full on self flagellation.

Does anyone really think Diana didn’t want to get her story out there?

[hibsbollah]

Beeb news at 10 going full on self flagellation.

Does anyone really think Diana didn’t want to get her story out there?

Turn the ****ing thing off.
It’s actually embarrassing.
The Tory appointees currently running the corporation are desperate to say thanks, sorry, while they get manipulated.

[The Harp Awakes]

Clearly the BBC saw all this coming a month or so ago with their mass hysteria and broadcasting blackout when Philip passed away.

I wonder how long it will take for an inquiry into their bias and imbalance in covering Scotland's constitutional affairs.

[Kato]

Chuck 'n Di would still be in wedded bliss if it wasn't for that nasty BBC? Do me a favour.

[heretoday]

BBC are being far too apologetic. No one gives a monkey's about all that stuff any more. We're all heartily sick of the royals and their problems which are as nothing compared to the average punter.
William should take a leaf out of his granny's book. Never complain, never explain. Suck it up and enjoy the match your majesty!

[Hibs Class]

It’s allowed Johnson and Morgan to try to claim the moral high ground re deceit in the media. They don’t do irony.

[bawheid]

The country (UK) is going to the dogs. In a few years the BBC will be a Fox News style right wing propaganda arm of the Tory party. If we don’t get independence in the course of the next Holyrood parliament, I’m outta here.

[Colr]

They’ll want treason trials for all the blokes that boffed Princess Big Nose next.

Will Carling will be ****ting it.