If lawyers decide the BBC has breached rules on accuracy and impartiality in addition to not giving the royals a fair right of reply, they may take action against the broadcaster

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle share romantic engagement photos

The Royal Family has not ruled out taking legal action against the BBC over its documentary series about Princes William and Harry’s relationship with the media.

The first instalment of “The Princes and The Press” has angered the royal households over ‘overblown and unfounded’ claims.

It accused the royal households of actively briefing against Harry and Meghan so lawyers will carefully watching the second part on Monday.

If they decide the corporation has breached rules on accuracy and impartiality in addition to not giving them a fair right of reply they may take action, Mail on Sunday reports.

Harry has complained online that the term ‘Megxit’ – which is used to describe the Sussexes’ controversial decision to quit the Royal family – was sexist and the BBC has instead swapped the phrase for ‘Sussexit’.

The dad-of-two sad online: “The term Megxit was or is a misogynistic term, and it was created by a troll, amplified by royal correspondents, and it grew and grew into mainstream media.”

Royal aides are also claimed to be furious over allegations made by ‘pro-Sussex’ journalists in the programme.

They said the BBC failed to offer a proper right of reply against the claims.

One of the journalists includes Omid Scobie who said that ‘negative stories’ had been leaked about Meghan Markle to ‘put her in her place’.

The co-author of “Finding Freedom” – a biography about the Sussexes – said: “There’s been rumours that a lot of the most damaging and negative stories… have come from other royal households or royal aides. From my research and reporting that’s true.”

Mr Scobie made the allegation without providing any credible evidence nor was his claims challenged by the documentary’s presenter Amol Rajan.

Meghan’s lawyer Jenny Afia also featured in the documentary to give counter reports that she was ‘difficult’ to work with – with the Duchess’ permission.

Ms Afia’s statement was not challenged in the programme despite Buckingham Palace launching an internal investigation into claims that Meghan had bullied staff.

The second instalment is expected to cause more upset as it includes suggestions that senior royals – including William – ‘planted’ stories about Harry’s mental health.

William, who has campaigned on mental health, is claimed to be upset at the suggestion.

It was Harry who first raised the subject of his mental health during a television interview in 2019 when he revealed he had had experienced a resurgence of mental health issues that needed ‘constant management’.

After William watched the interview he reportedly was said to be ‘concerned” about his brother’s wellbeing.

Sources have suggested any claims about Harry’s mental health were ‘planted’ are ‘categorically untrue’.

Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace – the three royal households – are claimed to be in ‘lockstep’ over their reaction to the documentary.

The Mail reports that a final decision on if they will take any action will be made after the second instalment is aired.

If they do it could either be a complaint to the BBC governors or to watchdog Ofcom.

Legal action is an option but it is thought to be unlikely.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have banned the BBC from showing their Christmas carol concert amid anger over the documentary, it has been claimed.

The charity fundraiser, which is reportedly set to be hosted by the Duchess of Cambridge herself at Westminster Abbey, will be broadcast by rival ITV instead.

Sources say forthcoming royal projects such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee are unlikely to be affected but William may rethink any future collaborations.

In a joint statement shown at the end of the first documentary, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House said: “A free, responsible and open Press is of vital importance to healthy democracy.

“However, too often overblown and unfounded claims from unknown sources are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.”