An exchange on BBC News this morning has sparked controversy after a presenter appeared to demand more public accountability from Princess Kate following her emotional cancer recovery update.
The discussion centered on the heartfelt video the Princess of Wales shared on social media earlier this week, where she announced that she was cancer-free after completing chemotherapy.
While the video has been widely praised for its personal tone and intimate portrayal of family life, it has also ignited a debate over the role of the royal family in public accountability.
During a live segment, a PR expert praised the Princess’s approach, highlighting how effectively the video had resonated with the public.
“The art of great PR is to get your story out and for people to engage in that story,” the expert explained. “And if you look at every front page of the legacy media this morning, and here we are talking about it, it has certainly generated the empathy and understanding that the family wanted to achieve.”
However, the BBC presenter took a more critical stance, questioning the royal family’s decision to bypass traditional media outlets.
“If they just go straight to social media, and ignore what you describe as the legacy media,” the presenter argued. “They’re not opening up themselves to any accountability, any questioning from the royal correspondents. So we’re not unsympathetic, but there’s no public accountability from a family that’s paid for by the British taxpayers.”
The presenter’s comments seemed to suggest that, despite the deeply personal nature of the video, more was expected from the Princess in terms of answering questions and providing details to the media. This sparked a strong response from the PR expert, who defended the royal family’s approach.
“That’s indeed a valid point,” the expert conceded. “But let’s face one thing: The royal family are damned if they do, damned if they don’t.”
The video itself was a marked departure from the more formal health updates that royal watchers have come to expect. In the past, royal health news was typically announced through official statements from Buckingham Palace or via the royal correspondents.
By contrast, Kate’s video showed candid moments with her family and a more affectionate relationship with Prince William, offering an intimate look at the future King and Queen’s private life.
The Princess of Wales’s decision to share her story via Instagram, rather than through a press conference or formal interview, has been seen by some as a sign that the royal family is moving into a new era of communication—one that embraces social media and seeks to build a more personal connection with the public.
The royal family has yet to comment on the exchange or on the criticism surrounding the video.