Princess Diana’s BBC Panorama interview in 1995 was the catalyst for her divorce from Prince Charles, 72, and remains the most famous interview of its kind. Speaking to journalist Martin Bashir at the time, Diana spoke openly about Charles’s extramarital affair with Camilla and also questioned his suitability as king.
The means by which Mr Bashir managed to persuade the Princess of Wales to carry out the interview are currently subject to an independent investigation following accusations the journalist used “deceit” to convince Diana to take part.
Now Princess Diana’s former lover, surgeon Hasnat Khan, has fuelled further controversy around the interview by claiming Prince William, 38, urged his mother to cut ties with Mr Bashir after the Panorama programme first aired.
Mr Khan told the Daily Mail: “[William] hated the Panorama interview and told her she had made a mistake, which had upset her.
“But he was very direct and said ‘Mummy, he’s not a good person.'”
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The medic also claimed Diana eventually severed contact with Bashir following William’s warning.
The surgeon said: “I could certainly believe it because the boys were central to everything she did.”
He added: “[Bashir] filled her head with rubbish, such as that stuff about the nanny being pregnant with Charles’s child.
“Of course I am not naïve. I knew that there was a part of Diana that wanted to give an interview but my question is if Martin Bashir had not been there persuading her, would she ever have done it?”
According to Kensington Palace, the Duke of Cambridge “tentatively welcomed the investigation.”
The statement added: “The independent investigation is a step in the right direction.
“It should help establish the truth behind the actions that led to the Panorama interview and subsequent decisions taken by those in the BBC at the time.”
Addressing the investigation, a BBC spokesman previously said: “The BBC is taking this very seriously and we want to get to the truth.
“We are in the process of commissioning a robust and independent investigation.”
Prince William and Kate are currently at their country hall Anmer Hall where they are expected to remain throughout lockdown.
The dedicated parents will be homeschooling their two eldest children Prince George and Charlotte in the coming weeks.
Kate is celebrating her 39th birthday on Saturday and is expected to spend a low key day at home.
The Duchess reached out on Twitter to thank fans for their birthday messages.
