The BBC is facing criticism from TV host Dan Wootton for what he perceives as a deliberate attempt to undermine the Royal Family ahead of King Charles’ ascension.
In a scathing commentary for the Daily Mail, Wootton accused the British Broadcasting Corporation of seeking to diminish the enduring popularity of the Royals during a pivotal period of transition.
Referring to the recent Panorama documentary, Wootton lambasted the BBC, or as he dubbed it, the “British bashing corporation,” for purportedly trying to sway public sentiment regarding the monarchy.
During the latest broadcast of BBC’s Panorama, the program highlighted the monarchy’s purported state of flux.
To gauge public sentiment leading up to the coronation, the BBC commissioned a YouGov poll on the Royal Family.
Wootton raised doubts about the poll’s credibility and accused the BBC of bias in favor of Meghan Markle, who, along with Prince Harry, has been blamed for the decline in the Royals’ popularity as depicted in the episode.
According to the BBC survey, only 32% of individuals aged 18-24 expressed a desire for the monarchy to endure, a notable drop from 64% in 2013.
The program featured an academic suggesting that Prince Charles faces challenges in connecting with Generation Z. Wootton pointed fingers at Harry and Meghan, labeling them as the primary disruptors of the British monarchy and contrasting their approach with that of other senior Royals.
Wootton juxtaposed Meghan’s perceived victim narrative and reluctance to engage with traditional royal duties against the steadfast commitment demonstrated by other members of the Royal Family, such as King Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Sophie, Prince William, and Kate.
He emphasized the stark contrast in their approaches, portraying the latter as exemplars of duty and glamour compared to Meghan’s perceived self-centeredness.
In response to the Panorama episode, Wootton doubled down on his criticism, asserting that despite efforts by the BBC and sympathetic media outlets, even ardent supporters of Meghan and Harry would eventually recognize the couple’s self-serving motivations.
He contended that the Royals, in contrast, embody a sense of national service that transcends the self-interest of elected politicians.
The BBC’s Panorama delved into perspectives from both proponents and detractors of the monarchy, probing whether the incoming King will modernize the institution.
The YouGov poll results revealed a mixed outlook, with over a third of young adults advocating for the monarchy’s continuation.
Notably, nearly half of respondents from ethnic minority backgrounds believed the Royal Family grapples with issues of race and diversity.
Despite these concerns, a substantial majority of the populace expressed support for the new King, with only a minority advocating for an elected head of state.
As discussions surrounding the future of the monarchy persist, the divergent views captured in the Panorama episode underscore the complex dynamics at play within British society.