BBC’s Royal Mistake Over Portrait
British Public Broadcaster Apologizes To Queen Elizabeth II
U.K. news outlet apologizes to Royals after major gaffe regarding portrait sitting but BBC's continued relevancy may be somewhat dependent on relationship with monarch
The BBC has had to apologize to Queen Elizabeth II after airing a video suggesting that she left a portrait sitting after being told to take off her tiara. While Queen Elizabeth II was indeed annoyed by the request, and told one of her ladies-in-waiting that she would do no such thing, at no time did she actually intend to leave after famed photographer Annie Leibovitz suggested that her crown ought to go.
The BBC aired a tidbit from its upcoming documentary ‘A Year With the Queen’ and the response from Buckingham Palace was less than positive. In fact, the BBC has been forced to acknowledge that while Queen Elizabeth II did stare icily at Leibovitz when she suggested that the crown was too formal, she did not leave the sitting after this event occurred.
This incident is interesting in that it highlights how clearly the BBC, Britain’s public broadcaster, and the Royal family are intertwined. The role of the BBC has changed greatly in the last decade, and yet the interplay between the famed broadcaster and the Windsors' is still something to watch.
BBC in Britain in 21st century
As more and more private broadcasters come into existence in Great Britain, it becomes more difficult for the BBC to have any kind of a monopoly on British television watching. This current situation is very different from what has happened since the early days of television in that it has been the most trusted and most watched of any of the UK’s networks. The BBC’s history as a radio broadcaster gave it credibility and reach, and the high standards and breadth of programs gave the public broadcaster longevity and a virtual monopoly.
In the current world of unlimited choice it has become more difficult for the BBC to remain relevant. As sensationalist networks such as Rupert Murdoch’s British Sky Broadcasting become more popular, BBC is seen as increasingly staid and old-fashioned. As well, the diversity of the British population has meant that one type of culture such as what the BBC used to embody is harder and harder to define or to portray.
Relationship With Monarchy
The relationship with the monarchy, however, has been something that the BBC has had exclusive access to for years. While the Royal family is not particularly fond of any media, it has long been accepted that the BBC needs some access, and that they do a decent job when needed. The BBC is happy with their arrangement with the Royal family in that the British public laps up news and information about Queen Elizabeth II and her offspring, and their impressive coverage and contact are hard to ignore.
With this said, the current incident may certainly change the minds of some of those in decision-making roles with the Windsor’s. If the BBC is apt to doctor footage of Queen Elizabeth II, one wonders if access such as that granted to the public broadcaster for their current documentary is not going to become even scarcer. The BBC’s ability to survive in a competition-driven world might depend in large part on the ability to keep up a positive relationship with the Royal family, lest they alienate one of the few advantages that they have over private broadcasters.
