BBC postpones royal documentary about 'spin' after Princess Diana's death

Diana, Princess of Wales, with her then-husband Prince Charles and sons Princes Harry and William. Credit: PA/PA Archive

The BBC has postponed a documentary based on the royal family's relationship with the press following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The first episode of Reinventing The Royals was due to air on Sunday, but was pulled from the 9pm slot after lawyers "known to represent senior members of the royal family" had made contact, according to the Radio Times.

Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles at Diana, Princess of Wales' funeral. Credit: Tony Harris/PA Wire

However, a BBC statement said the broadcast was being delayed until later in the New Year "while a number of issues including the use of archive footage are resolved."

The two-part series reflects "the 20-year battle between the monarchy and the media - the first family and the fourth estate - over personal privacy and public image".

Prince Harry (left) and Prince William with their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales in 1991. Credit: Martin Keene/PA Wire

Mr Hewlett said the documentary includes the first-ever television interview with Sandy Henney, Prince Charles' press secretary at the time of Diana's death in 1997.

He claims Prince Charles hired Mark Bolland as a form of "spin doctor" to help with his portrayal in the media.

The outpouring of grief following Diana's death culminated in a sea of flowers outside Kensington Palace. Credit: Toby Melville/PA Archive

Republic, an anti-monarchy campaign, said they will write to James Harding, the BBC's head of news and current affairs, to seek clarification on why the documentary has been postponed.

"The BBC and other broadcasters are far too deferential to the royals. It's time they began to treat them in the same way they treat politicians and other public officials," Republic's spokesman Graham Smith said.