Prince William said the findings of the 2021 inquiry into Princess Diana’s 1995 BBC Panorama interview brought him “indescribable sadness.” He also said BBC failures surrounding the interview contributed to the fear, paranoia and isolation he remembered from his mother’s final years. Those are William’s stated feelings and recollections; they should be distinguished from the inquiry’s findings about how the interview was arranged.
What William said about the interview
On May 20, 2021, after the publication of Lord Dyson’s independent inquiry, William issued a statement criticizing the BBC’s conduct. He said the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what Diana said. He also described the interview as “a major contribution to making my parents’ relationship worse” and said it had “since hurt countless others.”
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Diana: Her True Story--in Her Own Words | $4.06 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Princess Diana: A Little Golden Book Biography | $5.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Who Was Princess Diana? | $5.08 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Swan Song: Diana, my sister | $24.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Story of Princess Diana: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers (The Story of Biographies) | $6.53 | Buy on Amazon |
William connected the BBC’s failures to his own memories of his mother: “It brings indescribable sadness to know that the BBC’s failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her.” The statement records his assessment and recollection; it is not a clinical assessment of Diana or an independent finding about her state of mind.
What the Dyson inquiry found
The inquiry found that BBC journalist Martin Bashir commissioned and showed fake bank statements to Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, in order to deceive him and secure an introduction to Diana. Bashir then gained access to her and persuaded her to agree to the interview. Dyson described the conduct as inappropriate and a serious breach of BBC producer guidelines. Read the official Dyson inquiry report.
#1 Best Overall
- Book - diana: her true story--in her own words
- Language: english
- Binding: paperback
That finding has an important qualification: Dyson said Diana was already keen on the idea of a BBC interview by early to mid-August 1995, before Bashir’s first meeting with Spencer. Her interest does not negate the inquiry’s finding that Bashir deceived Spencer to obtain access.
How Diana’s note fits the record
Dyson’s report records a note Diana wrote on December 22, 1995: “I consented to the interview on Panorama without any undue pressure and have no regrets.” The note is evidence of what Diana said about her consent and feelings afterward. Dyson concluded it did not answer the separate question of whether Bashir had deceived Spencer to gain access to her.
Rank #2
Why William said the programme should not be aired again
William said the interview had established a “false narrative” that had been commercialized by the BBC and others. He stated: “It is my firm view that this Panorama programme holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again.” That was his position in 2021, not proof of a current broadcast policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the different accounts establish
- Dyson’s inquiry: findings about Bashir’s deception of Earl Spencer and serious breaches of BBC guidelines, alongside the qualification that Diana had already shown interest in an interview.
- Diana’s note: her written statement that she consented without undue pressure and had no regrets; it did not resolve the question of deception involving Spencer.
- William’s statement: his emotional response, memories and judgments about the interview’s effects on his mother and parents’ relationship.
Keeping those accounts distinct explains both William’s condemnation and the nuance in the inquiry: Diana’s interest in speaking to the BBC and her later note do not erase the finding about how Bashir sought access, while William’s descriptions of the effects remain his own stated view.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
