Prince William's former nanny has received damages from the BBC over "false and malicious" allegations used to obtain Panorama's exclusive 1995 interview with Princess Diana.
Alexandra Pettifer, also known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke, was issued a public apology from the broadcaster at the High Court in London over "fabricated" claims she had an affair with Prince Charles while working as his personal assistant. She was also falsely accused of becoming pregnant with the Prince of Wales' child and having an abortion.
Ms Legge-Bourke's solicitor Louise Prince told the court that the allegations caused "serious personal consequences for all concerned". She added that her client had never discovered the source of the falsehoods over the 25 years, believing it likely that the allegations were made in "BBC Panorama's efforts to procure an exclusive interview with Diana, Princess of Wales".
The court was told that the Dyson Investigation, commissioned by the broadcaster, had "shed some light" on how the interview had been secured. The solicitor said that the "totally unfounded" allegations "appeared to exploit some prior false speculation in the media" about Ms Legge-Bourke and Charles.
"After Diana, Princess of Wales, became aware of the allegations in late 1995, she became upset with the claimant without apparent justification," she added.
Ms Prince said Ms Legge-Bourke "holds the BBC liable for the serious impact the false and malicious allegations have had.
"Had the BBC not fallen short, the claimant and her family could have been spared 25 years of lies, suspicion and upset."
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