Royals blast 'unfounded' claims in new BBC documentary

The royal family has sensationally blasted the new BBC documentary 'The Princes and the Press' which aired the first episode in the UK overnight.

A joint statement issued by The Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William called the “overblown and unfounded claims” about a rift between William and Harry made on the program “disappointing”.

“A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy," the statement from Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace said.

“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.”

According to The Sun, the first episode included an interview with author Omid Scobie, who claimed that some negative stories about the Sussexes came from other royal households.

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“There has been a lot of rumours for some time that a lot of the most damaging and negative stories about Harry and Meghan, that have ended up in the pages of the press, have come from the other royal households or from other royal aides or courtiers," Omid Scobie alleged during the program.

“From my own experience that is true.”

However, former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt disputed that, saying: “That did not happen the chunk of the time I was doing the royal family.

“You have to assume that they would have only done it if they had the approval of their principle (royal family member).”

It comes after it was also reported the royal family had lawyers braced to launch action against the BBC over the new documentary.

It was believed they are set to collectively complain to the UK’s media regulator Ofcom for what could be the first time.

The BBC reportedly refused to show the royal family the two-part documentary, which is being presented by the BBC’s media editor Amol Rajan.

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