An independent inquiry by Lord Dyson into the circumstances surrounding the interview found that Mr Bashir faked bank statements that suggested that people within Diana’s inner circle were being paid to keep her under surveillance. He then showed these forged documents to the princess’s brother Earl Spencer, which Lord Dyson said indirectly contributed to efforts to gain access to Diana. The Duke of Cambridge said in his statement that he believes that the means in which Mr. Bashir obtained the interview “substantially influenced” what Diana said in the interview, and that the interview was “a major contribution to making my parents’ relationship worse.” He said that the BBC’s “lurid and false claims” concerning the royal family “contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her.” He went on, “It is my firm view that this Panorama programme holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again. It effectively established a false narrative which, for over a quarter of a century, has been commercialised by the BBC and others.” In conclusion, William said that his mother and his family, as well as the public, had been “let down” by these “failings.” His younger brother Prince Harryalso released a statement in which he described Diana as an “incredible woman” who “dedicated her life to service.” She was “resilient, brave, and unquestionably honest” but in the end a “ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life.” The Duke of Sussex thanks those “who have taken some form of accountability” but added, “What deeply concerns me is that practices like these—and even worse—are still widespread today.” Harry, who has opened up in a new interview with Oprah Winfrey up about the pain of watching his mother try to escape the press while he and William were strapped into the backseat of their car, said that the overall narrative of media intrusion that led to Diana’s death is “bigger than one outlet, one network, or one publication.” He went on, “Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed. By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone, and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life. Let’s remember who she was and what she stood for.” Next up, will Meghan and Harry name their daughter after Diana? Find out the top name predictions for Baby Sussex!
