The BBC is reportedly in meltdown amid claims the broadcaster is being left out of the planning loop for King Charles’s Coronation. The Coronation on May 6 will form the centrepiece of the broadcaster’s live coverage with the ceremonial event at Westminster Abbey broadcast across the BBC.
Kirsty Young and Huw Edwards will spearhead the BBC’s coverage joined by a host of presenters including Mishal Husain and James Naughtie reporting from the processional route.
But veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby has reportedly turned down the chance to play a role in the BBC’s coverage, according to The Times.
Ephraim Hardcastle, in an op-ed published in MailOnline, claimed Mr Dimbleby might heave a sigh of relief “at being excluded” from the BBC’s coverage.
Mr Hardcastle wrote: “Having been assured of involvement, official dithering means final decisions on the processional route are still to be made, with the precise details of the Westminster Abbey ceremony still largely unknown.”
The BBC has been approached for comment.
Radio 2 DJs Zoe Ball and Dermot O’Leary, Radio 4’s Martha Kearney and royal correspondent Jonny Dymond will also be among those presenting the BBC’s Coronation coverage.
Ahead of the celebration, new BBC programmes such as Charles R: The Making Of A Monarch, Stitching For Britain and Sing For The King: The Search For The Coronation Choir will air.
EastEnders, Countryfile, Antiques Roadshow, Songs Of Praise and Bargain Hunt will also be among the broadcaster’s shows featuring coronation specials.
Channel 4 will offer viewers an alternative coronation viewing experience, including a documentary focusing on the Duke of York’s now-infamous Newsnight interview.
The two-part programme will see former BBC journalist Emily Maitlis speak in detail about how she came to grill Andrew over his relationship with the late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew – The Problem Prince, in 60-minute episodes, will also feature archive footage, an interview with former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister and access to palace insiders.
The broadcaster will also air Frankie Boyle’s Farewell To The Monarchy, which sees the Scottish comedian, 50, take a look back at its more than 1,000-year history and ask if the royal family “has a place in today’s world” and “should it continue?”.
Dame Joanna Lumley will be joining Sky News for its coverage of the festivities surrounding the coronation.
The Absolutely Fabulous actress, who provided commentary for Sky News for the Queen’s Jubilee last year, will be attending the service at Westminster Abbey as a guest of Charles and Camilla.
Dame Joanna, 76, will then join the broadcaster’s coronation line-up, which includes royal events commentator Alastair Bruce and presenters Kay Burley and Anna Botting.
In addition to the live coverage, Sky News will air the documentary My King, My Country on how the public feels about the monarchy and Burley, 62, will speak to the people who know Camilla well for the podcast Queen Camilla: For The Love Of Charles.
ITV has yet to announce its coronation weekend coverage.
