The BBC has given more than £1.4 million to seven charities linked to Princess Diana.
The money comes from the sale of the now “infamous” 1995 Panorama interview between Diana and disgraced journalist Martin Bashir.
During the programme the Princess spoke openly about her crumbling marriage to Prince Charles.
She told Bashir “there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded” – a nod to Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince Charles’ mistress and now wife.
The broadcaster said: “The BBC had indicated its intention to donate to charity the sales proceeds derived from the 1995 Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales.
“The BBC has now done so.”
Donations were made to Centrepoint, English National Ballet, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, The Leprosy Mission, National Aids Trust, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and The Diana Award.
An inquiry into the Panorama programme ruled the BBC had used “deceitful behaviour” to secure a world exclusive interview with Princess Diana.
The reporter’s methods were in “serious breach” of BBC guidelines.
The 127-page report by Lord Dyson also concluded Bashir had “deceived and induced” the Princess’ brother Earl Spencer into setting up the interview.
A BBC statement said:
“The BBC had indicated its intention to donate to charity the sales proceeds derived from the 1995 Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales.
“The BBC has now done so.
“Given the findings of Lord Dyson, we think this is the right and appropriate course of action.”
The donations come from the BBC’s commercial revenue and not from the Licence Fee, the corporation said.
