ITV says ‘I do’ to royal wedding after the BBC gets cold feet
THERE was, allegedly, some consternation when the BBC turned down the opportunity to broadcast Princess Eugenie’s impending nuptials.
But Buckingham Palace has now confirmed that ITV will show next Friday’s royal wedding ceremony in an extended episode of This Morning.
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, the husband-and-wife team, host the show which will run from 9.25am12.30pm, live from Windsor.
ITV said: “This Morning At The Royal Wedding will capture the atmosphere and arrivals at St George’s Chapel, with Eamonn and Ruth joined by guests, commentators and experts.” The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding, also at Windsor Castle, attracted a peak BBC audience of 18million in Britain.
But there appeared to be less interest from broadcasters in live coverage of the marriage of Princess Eugenie, 28, to Jack Brooksbank, 31.
The Duke of York reportedly approached the BBC to televise the ceremony. However, bosses are understood to have declined, fearing it would not attract sufficient viewers.
A source told The Mail on Sunday: “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.”
Instead, the BBC said clips would appear in news services throughout the day. Sky will show highlights, but will not broadcast the wedding live.