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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Needham

Meghan and Harry Netflix doc 'DID NOT' get BBC permission to air Diana Panorama interview

Netflix did not have permission from the BBC to use footage of Princess Diana's Panorama interview with Martin Bashir in divisive new documentary Harry & Meghan, it has been reported.

In the first episode of the bombshell six-part series, two clips of controversial Diana's tell-all chat were played.

Prince William has made his feelings on the re-use of the footage very clear, previously saying his mother's interview 'should never be aired again.'

In a damning report by Lord Dyson last year, journalist Martin Bashir was found to have obtained the interview through 'deceitful behaviour'.

Following an investigation, the BBC vowed it would 'never show the programme again' or 'license it in whole or in part to other broadcaster'.

(PA, Netflix)

However, during the opening episode of bombshell Harry & Meghan docu-series, released on Thursday, two clips of Diana's chat with Bashir were shown - totalling 42 seconds.

The footage was screened as Harry spoke to the streaming giant's cameras about how his late mother struggled with press intrusion.

"'I think she had a lived experience of how she was struggling living that life. She felt compelled to talk about it," said Harry.

"Especially in that Panorama interview. I think we all now know that she was deceived into giving the interview. But at the same time she spoke the truth of her experience," he added.

A clip from the 1995 interview is then shown, with Diana saying: "I still to this day find the interest daunting and phenomenal. Because I actually don't like being the centre of attention.

Prince Harry opened up about his late mother's relationship with the press in Netflix docuseries Meghan & Harry (Netflix)

'When I have my public duties, I understand when I get out the car I'm being photographed. But actually, it's now when I go out of my door, my front door, I'm being photographed. I never know where a lens is going to be."

A BBC insider told the MailOnline that Netflix never approached the corporation for permission.

A spokesperson said: "As we have said before, the BBC will never show the programme again; nor will we license it in whole or in part to other broadcasters - the decision to show the interview is a matter for Netflix."

Princess Diana in the Panorama interview (Press Association)

A separate source told The Telegraph, that BBC managers were 'mystified' as to how Netflix got hold of the footage.

Sources close to the Prince of Wales have already claimed he is 'furious' that Harry has ignored his wishes for their mother's interview to never be shown again.

An insider told The Mirror : 'Sadly once more it shows the gulf between the two brothers couldn't be wider.'

A source claimed William would be 'furious' to know Harry had ignored his wishes (Getty Images)

Last year, Prince William publicly demanded a total ban on airing the footage as he spoke of his 'indescribable sadness' at how the interview was secured.

He hit out after Martin Bashir's attempts at gaining the interview were found to have 'fallen short of high standards and integrity and transparency' of the BBC.

In a statement released after the findings, Prince William said: "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."

Streaming giant Netflix aired the footage of Princess Diana's interview, which was found to have breached BBC standards (Netflix)

He went on: "It is my view that the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said. The interview was a major contribution to making my parents' relationship worse and has since hurt countless others.

"It brings 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."

Mirror Online has contacted the BBC and Netflix for comment.

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