Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inbox
Prince Harry has paid tribute to his "brave" later mother Princess Diana after an inquiry revealed BBC journalist Martin Bashir used deceit to score his bombshell Panorama interview with her.
The Princess of Wales gave an explosive interview to the 58-year-old back in 1995, during which she famously said of her relationship with Prince Charles: "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."
It was concluded during the inquiry on Thursday that Martin had "acted inappropriately and in serious breach of BBC guidelines."
Harry has now called his mother "an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service," as he issued a statement following the closing of the inquiry.
He said: "Our mother was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service. She was resilient, brave and unquestionably honest.
"The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life.
"To those who have taken some form of accountability, thank you for owning it. That is the first step towards justice and truth.
"Yet what deeply concerns me is that practices like these – and even worse – are still widespread today. Then, and now, it's bigger than one outlet, one network, or one publication."
The Duke of Sussex continued: "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."
Harry's statement echoes what his brother Prince William said as he read his own words in a video.
William, 38, said: "I would like to thank Lord Dyson and his team for the report.
"It is my view that the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said.
Become an OK! VIP and see all our exclusives – for free!
Become an OK! VIP and you will unlock access to all of our big exclusives…
Be the first to meet the latest showbiz babies, see the most sought after wedding pictures of the year, or take a guided tour around your favourite star's lavish multi-million pound home – all for free!
Sign up here
"The interview was a major contribution to making my parents' relationship worse and has since hurt countless others.
"It brings me indescribable sadness to know that the BBC's failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her.
"But what saddens me most, is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she had been deceived.
The Royal Family
Prince Harry says Diana 'died for be… Harry says argument with Meghan led … Prince Harry says he would drink a w… Prince Harry says life 'was a nightm…
"She was failed not just by a rogue reporter, but by the leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions."
He concluded: "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."
Source: Read Full Article