The BBC will not broadcast Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank next month despite being requested to do so by Prince Andrew.
The British Broadcasting Corporation has made the decision over a perceived lack of public interest, fearing a ratings disaster if the ceremony is aired from Windsor Castle.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, a source said: “From the outset, the instruction from the very top was that Eugenie’s wedding must be televised.
“The BBC was approached because they have a special relationship with Buckingham Palace and a formula that works.
“But they turned it down because they don’t think enough people will tune in and that there isn’t enough support for the Yorks.
“The feeling at the Palace is that the BBC has dropped the ball.
“At the end of the day, this is going to be a huge Royal Wedding, with all the senior members of the Royal Family in attendance.
“But nobody wants to take the risk and spend the money it would cost to put it on air.”
It is unknown whether ITV or Sky will broadcast the wedding in place of the BBC.
Speaking to Royal Central last month, royal expert and historian Marlene Koenig told Royal Central that there is a precedent for marriages of royal cousins to be broadcast on television.
Marlene said: “I will be surprised if the wedding is not televised. The Duke of Kent’s wedding in 1961 was televised, as was Princess Alexandra’s in 1963.”
However, those living outside of the UK might not be so lucky in watching live coverage of the service due to a perceived lack of international interest.
Marlene explained: “Prince Edward’s wedding in 1999 was not picked up by the US networks, but was shown on BBC America.
There have been no announcements that it will not be televised, but people were concerned that Harry’s wedding would not be televised because there was no immediate announcement.
“I kept saying that NBC was making plans to be in Windsor so they knew something so I was not worried about Harry’s wedding. The official announcement of a broadcast was not long before the actual wedding.”
