The Princess documentary director felt ‘much more sympathetic’ for William and Harry after viewing archive footage: ‘They’re not characters in a sitcom’-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

A new documentary on Princess Diana, compiled entirely of archive footage showing old clips of Lady Spencer in the public eye, is set to air just days before the 25th anniversary of her death.

The mother of Prince William and Prince Harry, who died aged just 36, was subject to intense media scrutiny throughout her relationship with Prince Charles, which is set to be explored in the new documentary.

The film will explore Diana’s complex relationship with the media and her romance with the Prince of Wales, including their marriage through to their infamous split in 1992.

Made entirely of old interviews, director Ed Perkins revealed how watching the ‘hundreds of hours of footage’ over the years Princess Diana was in the spotlight effected his view of her sons.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk about what the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex would think if they were to view the film, he told us: ‘These are real stories about real people, and we approached them with the sensitivity and respect they deserve.

Princess Diana died in August 1997 (Picture: HBO)

‘My hope very strongly would be that if they were to see the film that they would feel like we’ve been fair and balanced. I can say, in good faith, that we haven’t come at this film with an agenda.’

He continued: ‘You know, this isn’t a film that is trying to be pro monarchy or anti monarchy, pro Diana or anti Diana, we’ve tried to tell a complex story with a lightness of touch and with nuance.’

The documentary follows the breakdown of her marriage (Picture: Getty/Bettmann Archive)

Perkins added that the documentary format aids in ‘not seeing them as characters in a sitcom, which is perhaps how I and lots of people have seen them, but actually, as human beings.’

‘That’s a that’s been a really interesting and enlightening experience and I do feel much more sympathetic towards that and obviously very sad and sorry specifically for William and Harry for the many difficult things that they had to sort of go through, some of which are shown in the story.’

Director Ed Perkins admitted feeling sorry for William and Harry after viewing all the archive footage (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

During the documentary, viewers don’t just see Princess Diana through the media’s eye, in old interviews or broadcasts, but also the public’s reception of her.

From fans celebrating their wedding to sobbing at her funeral, the film ‘may not be revelatory’ but it ‘offers a new perspective,’ Perkins told us.

The documentary offers ‘a new perspective’ according to Perkins (Picture: John Stillwell / PA)

He continued: ‘I think Diana’s life for many years became a kind of national sitcom sort of soap opera. One of the questions the film is offering up is like, we want the fairy tale but at what cost and at whose expense?

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‘It’s not about throwing out blame in anyway, but it is about being honest about our own complicity and the way this complex, interdependent relationship between the public and people in public life, as mediated by the press, continues to evolve.’

The Princess will air on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW from Sunday, August 14.

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