Kate Middleton and Prince William Took Their Christmas Special Off the BBC After Controversial Documentary
The documentary pits Prince William against Prince Harry.


Kate Middleton is hosting a Christmas carol concert live from Westminster Abbey on TV this year for the first time, and Prince William will be there to cheer her on.
The show was planned to air on the BBC, but the royals have reportedly pulled it from the channel after they aired the first part of a controversial documentary, which appeared to pit Prince William against Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The show will now air on British channel ITV instead.
"This is a real coup for ITV," a TV source told The Sun. "It is a brand new format — the royals have never hosted a televised TV concert before. And to have the Duchess leading on it is a big deal."
The source added, "Naturally most royal programming goes automatically to the BBC as the national broadcaster. Now it looks like they will work more with ITV in the future."
This will be a real blow for the BBC, apparently—and the rift could extend way beyond just this one show. "It will be a fantastic Christmas carol concert that will be TV gold for viewers at home," the source continued. "It was all arranged to be on BBC1 but it was switched in the last few days because of the terrible row over the documentary."
The Cambridges' decision to move away from the BBC came after they aired the first part of The Princes and the Press on Nov. 22. Part two will air on Nov. 29. "And things are likely to get a lot worse between the Royal Family and the BBC before they get better as the second part of the documentary threatens to go further."
Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace issued a joint statement to the BBC, which was shown after the program. It read, "A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy. However, too often it is overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources that are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility" (via Metro).
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
A royal source had told the Daily Mail ahead of the documentary airing, "There is upset about it. The households are all united in thinking this is not fair. No one at the Palace has seen it."

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Why Prince Andrew Attended Royal Family's Easter Service
It was previously alleged King Charles's "patience was wearing thin" with his brother.
By Amy Mackelden
-
How Princess Eugenie Took Style Tips From Meghan and Kate
From her nude heels to her bodycon dress.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Rihanna Matches Her Canadian Tuxedo to a Denim Dior Tote
The superstar accessorized her triple denim outfit with strappy snakeskin heels.
By Amy Mackelden
-
How Princess Eugenie's Easter Sunday Outfit Takes Style Tips From Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton
From her nude heels to her bodycon dress.
By Amy Mackelden
-
The "Awkward" Royal Family Easter Rule Kate Middleton Broke in 2018 Involving Queen Elizabeth II
The Princess of Wales was pregnant with her third child—Prince Louis—at the time.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Why Princess Kate and Prince William's Decision to Skip Easter Has "Raised Eyebrows at the Palace"
"It feels like a deliberate move and even a snub."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Prince William Once Twinned With Mom Princess Diana on Easter Sunday in the Cutest Throwback Photo
The future king wore one of his mom's favorite designers.
By Kristin Contino
-
Princess Kate Is Channeling Princess Anne's Signature Style in an Unexpected Way
The Princess of Wales is following in the no-nonsense Princess Royal's footsteps.
By Kristin Contino
-
Princess Kate Is Trading Her Easter Sunday Hat for Skinny Jeans After Skipping Royal Easter Celebration
Here's what the Wales family is doing instead.
By Kristin Contino
-
Will Prince Louis be Granted a Title from Dad Prince William That's "Tainted With Sadness"—or Will He Get a Dukedom at All?
Royal historian Jessica Storoschuk tells 'Marie Claire' what Prince Louis and Prince George's future titles could look like.
By Kristin Contino
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Could Take Legal Action Over These Spring Break Photos
Paparazzi snapped pictures of the family during their secret French getaway.
By Kristin Contino