BBC documentary about the royal family behind the scenes at the king’s coronation results in 897 complaints for ‘overly positive’ behavior
- Charles III: The coronation year received almost 900 complaints for being too positive
A BBC documentary showing the royal family behind the scenes of the king’s coronation has attracted 897 complaints for being ‘overly positive’ about the monarchy.
Charles III: The Coronation Year was broadcast on BBC One on Boxing Day and left almost 900 viewers feeling that the tone was biased in favor of the royal institution.
Of the 2,665 complaints BBC Audience Services received about programs from December 18 to 31, 897 (a third) related to ‘bias in favor of the monarchy’ in the documentary.
The program was the only program to receive more than 100 Phase 1 complaints during the period.
The BBC summarized the complaint on their website, saying: ‘We received complaints from a number of viewers who felt the tone of the program was too positive.’
Charles III: The Coronation Year was broadcast on BBC One on Boxing Day and left almost 900 viewers feeling that the tone was biased in favor of the royal institution
King Charles and Queen Camilla walk through the Birkhall Arboretum, as seen in the documentary
Of the 2,665 complaints BBC Audience Services received about programs from December 18 to 31, 897 – a third – related to ‘bias in favor of the monarchy’ in the documentary.
The complaints department dismissed the problems people had with the program, calling it a “one-off observational documentary covering a period of historical significance.”
The response said the BBC ‘seeks to reflect a range of views in its news and current affairs coverage of the monarchy’ and has ‘examined the structures and finances surrounding the Royal Family’ in other programmes.
The full response read: ‘Charles III: The Coronation Year is a one-off observational documentary covering a period of historical importance as the King took on new duties and prepared for this country’s first coronation in seventy years.
‘It has unique access and captures personal moments as the King adapts to his new role. Editorial control is retained by the BBC.
‘The BBC seeks to reflect a range of views in its news and current affairs coverage of the monarchy.
‘Earlier in 2023, when Panorama on BBC One documented the coronation, it examined the structures and finances surrounding the Royal Family and conducted a recently commissioned survey on attitudes towards the monarchy.
‘On Radio 4, the Today program had a debate on whether Britain needs a monarchy and The World This Weekend looked at its future.
“Overall, we have explored a range of perspectives on the monarchy, and we will continue to do so.”
The number of complaints means it doesn’t quite make it into the top ten most complained about BBC programs in 2023.
The King’s own coronation in May was in the top ten, receiving 8,421 complaints about comments made by actress Adjoa Andoh who said during the broadcast that the Buckingham Palace balcony was ‘horribly white’.
King Charles at his desk in Balmoral, as seen in the documentary broadcast on Boxing Day
King Charles III and Prince William during the coronation rehearsal in Westminster Abbey
The coronation documentary was made by Oxford Films and showed new footage of the King and Queen in preparation for the service at Westminster Abbey.
A smiling King Charles was seen rehearsing for his coronation in a shot from the BBC documentary charting his first year as king.
The moment when His Majesty’s suit can be seen peeking out from under his robes as he sits on the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey was featured in the 90-minute documentary Charles III: The Coronation Year.
The production team was given behind-the-scenes privilege during key moments of Charles and Camilla’s first year in office in and around Buckingham Palace.
It also included an interview with the Princess Royal and a film of the Wales family during rehearsals at the Abbey.