LONDON, Nov 23: Prince Harry has said that his mother, Princess Diana, “lost her life” as a result of her 1995 Panorama interview with BBC journalist Martin Bashir, describing it as a consequence of “a culture of exploitation and unethical practices.”

The Duke of Sussex made the remarks after a 2021 inquiry found that Bashir used “deceitful methods” to secure the interview, including creating false bank statements to manipulate Diana into participating. The broadcast, widely regarded as one of the most infamous royal interviews, revealed Diana’s unhappiness in her marriage to then-Prince Charles. In one memorable moment, she said, “there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded,” referring to Charles’s affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.

Prince Harry condemned Bashir and the BBC, stating that their actions contributed to his mother’s fear, paranoia, and isolation in her final years. “Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed,” he said. “By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone, and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life. Let’s remember who she was and what she stood for.”

He also praised those who have taken accountability following the inquiry, calling it a first step toward justice and truth, while warning that exploitative practices remain widespread in the media.

Princess Diana and Charles separated in 1992 and finalized their divorce in 1996. Diana died at the age of 36 in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.