It continues to be utterly bizarre to watch the British news channels and Buckingham Palace actually *debate* whether the royals get to edit or censor coverage of state events. It happened during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral too, which was a “state funeral,” paid for by the British taxpayers. The palace demanded that various edits be made to the broadcast, and the palace somehow “owns” the funeral footage too. That is just… completely idiotic, especially for an institution which is supposed to be only symbolically powerful. Well, the exact same thing is happening with the coronation, except British broadcasters are fighting back against the palace.
The BBC, ITN and Sky are playing “hardball” with Buckingham Palace in an attempt to ensure that they have free rein over video of the coronation. Discussions are under way with royal officials about removing the restrictions imposed on highlights programmes after they were only allowed to use 60 minutes of material from the late Queen’s funeral.
In September The Guardian revealed that the broadcasters were given several days to submit a short compilation from the ten days of mourning for the palace to approve for future use, with all other material taken out of circulation. As well as giving them greater editorial control, the broadcasters are keen to secure freedom for the context in which the video is used, so they can be included in an array of programmes without the palace having to grant express permission first.
“The broadcasters are playing harder ball than we did last time,” a person familiar with the talks said. “We aren’t taking anything lying down.”
With a second source confirming that talks are continuing, the view from the group is that there is a clear difference between the stance the palace took over the funeral and next month’s celebratory event. “It was fair to an extent for them to say that the funeral was a family occasion with particular sensitivities but the coronation is a far more overtly public event and so the bar [for blocking video] should be higher,” a source said.
The broadcasters’ primary ambition is to ensure that they are able to make the best possible content available to audiences after the event. “Ultimately this comes down to the editorial,” they added. “We are spending a lot of money and putting a lot of time and energy into the coronation. “Crucially it is a historic, taxpayer-funded event and if [palace concerns] are about maintaining the smoke and mirrors of monarchy then what’s that about?”
They added that it is vital that they are trusted to act responsibly, pointing to previous decisions to expunge moments that were considered inappropriate from follow-up shows without the need for prompting from the palace. While the broadcasters do not share any revenue generated from the highlights programming with the palace, they fund the cost of the production, which they do not expect to recoup fully.
“It was fair to an extent for them to say that the funeral was a family occasion” – no, it wasn’t. It was a state funeral, held at Westminster Abbey. Broadcasters should have full rights to all of their own footage!! One could argue – I suppose – that QEII’s second service, the one at Windsor Castle, was more of the “family service.” But again, it was all part of the STATE FUNERAL. Because QEII was the sitting head of state. Just as King Charles is the current head of state, and the coronation is a state event, funded by taxpayers. Why are British broadcasters bowing and scraping over this? Why is the palace behaving like the coronation is a private party, the broadcast rights to which they own completely?
Meanwhile, the palace confirmed last week that the moment of “anointment” will not be shown on camera during the Chubbly. Part of the unholy alliance between church and state means that the Archbishop of Canterbury will anoint Charles with holy oil, but the palace has told broadcasters that they can’t show it.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
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- King Charles III delivers his address to the nation and the Commonwealth from Buckingham Palace, London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture Date: Friday September 9, 2022. . .,Image: 721402925, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- King Charles III during the Accession Council at St James’s Palace, London, where King Charles III is formally proclaimed monarch. Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council, attended by Privy Councillors, confirms his role. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721404798, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- King Charles III during the Accession Council at St James’s Palace, London, where King Charles III is formally proclaimed monarch. Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council, attended by Privy Councillors, confirms his role. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721406187, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- King Charles III and the Queen Consort at Westminster Hall, London, where both Houses of Parliament are meeting to express their condolences following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.,Image: 721928710, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Stefan Rousseau / Avalon
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- Britain’s King Charles III at the presentation of Addresses by both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall, inside the Palace of Westminster, central London on September 12, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8.,Image: 721936686, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph / Avalon
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- Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort listen as The Speaker of The Commons Lindsay Hoyle (unseen) speaks during the presentation of Addresses by both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall, inside the Palace of Westminster, central London on September 12, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8.,Image: 721936899, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: BEN STANSALL / Avalon
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- Britain’s King Charles III speaks during the presentation of Addresses by both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall, inside the Palace of Westminster, central London on September 12, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8.,Image: 721936912, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: BEN STANSALL / Avalon
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- London, UK, 19th Sep 2022. King Charles III. Behind the Coffin, King Charles III walks with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward behind him, followed by Prince William and Prince Harry and Peter Phillips, and others. The Queen Consort, Princess of Wales, Duchess of Sussex and others follow in cars. The funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth II makests way from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, via Horse Guards Parade and the Mall. People line the street and watch military personnel march, and the coffin pass along the route. The procession is led by massed Pipers and Drums of Scottish and Irish Regiments, The Brigade of Gurkhas, the Royal Air Force and a total of 6,000 representatives from all three Armed Forces.,Image: 724175863, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Imageplotter / Avalon
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King Charles III leaving Clarence House, London, ahead of the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday.
Featuring: King Charles III
Where: London, England, United Kingdom
When: 14 Sep 2022
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images**North America Rights Only**
