Channel 4's Diana documentary to air controversial tapes
A new Channel 4 documentary about the late Princess Diana is set to feature sensitive tapes recorded by her voice coach.
The personal, camcorder recordings between Diana and Peter Settelen were captured at her private residence of Kensington Palace between 1992 and 1993, and were never intended to be made public.
They were initially made to help improve the princess's public speaking, but she also used them to share private details about her upbringing, her courtship with Prince Charles, her marriage crisis, and her public life.
Diana's family, including brother Charles Spencer, have always insisted that the recordings belong to them, but they were returned to Settelen in 2004 (via The Guardian). He has since sold the rights to Channel 4, and some of the footage has never been broadcast before.
Extracts of the recordings were previously sold to US network NBC, and broadcast in America as part of a two-part documentary in 2004.
Channel 4's Deputy Chief Creative Officer & Head of Factual Ralph Lee said in a press release that the tapes feature "a relaxed and off-duty Diana", and are "hugely illuminating about her personality, humour and charm".
He added: "Combined with historical context and interviews with her closest confidants, this film provides a nuanced, multi-layered portrait of the most famous woman in the world and a mother who has shaped the future line of the royal family.
"This film gives Diana a voice and places it front and centre at a time when the nation will be reflecting on her life and death. It is her account of events both private and public and is an important contribution to the historical record."
It comes following Prince William and Prince Harry's decision to open up about their late mother for an ITV documentary commemorating the 20th anniversary of Diana's death aired on Monday night.
The royals will also share their personal memories of Diana for a BBC one-off production set to air in August.
Channel 4's documentary will air in August.
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