Release of BBC Documentary Critical of Prince Charles Delayed

MOSCOW, December 30 (Sputnik) — The release of a BBC documentary which describes tactics which were employed by Prince Charles to improve his image after it was tarnished by the demise of Princess Diana was suspended following the intervention of lawyers representing the royal family, The Guardian reports.

Reinventing the Royals, a two-part documentary series, offers to present an in-depth analysis of the PR tactics employed by Mark Bolland, Prince Charles’ former deputy private secretary, in the wake of the tragic death of the Princess of Wales in 1997. The first episode of the series was due to air on January 4.

The Telegraph points out that while the BBC stated that the release of the documentary had been postponed in order to deal with issues related to archive footage, Radio Times claims that the suspension was caused by the direct intervention of the British royal family. Clarence House has denied its involvement however, the newspaper adds.

According to Steve Hewlett, a former editor of Panorama and the author of the documentary, in order to repair the Prince of Wales’ ailing image, Bolland actively exploited the image of Charles as a single parent and a caring father, causing then teenage Prince William to feel that he was "used to further his father’s interests", The Daily Mail adds.

The BBC stated that the documentary had been delayed 'until later in the new year,' according to The Guardian.