Royal wed gets some TLC

DISCOVERY’S TLC nabbed exclusive US TV rights to Princess Eugenie’s wedding, but we’re told the deal for Friday’s royal nuptials nearly fell through due to dealings with the palace.

The deal was just announced Thursday, but a TV insider said, “The network had the rights locked down a while ago, but at one point, the broadcast was put on hold.” The US deal became bogged down, we hear, when last month BBC execs reportedly passed on broadcasting the wedding after secret talks with the palace.

Said a source, “Reports were swirling that the BBC no longer wanted to air the wedding, coupled with the fact that UK taxpayers were outraged they would have to foot the bill ... It looked like TLC was going to be the jilted bride.” On Oct. 2, ITV stepped in to take UK rights. Eugenie is expected to wed Jack Brooksbank Friday at Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Chapel.

It makes sense TLC would want the wedding: The channel’s known for hits like “Say Yes to the Dress” and “90 Day Fiancé,” and aired Prince

Harry and Meghan Markle’s ceremony. TLC will air Eugenie’s extravaganza as a three-hour commercial-free block.

An insider told us the deal was in peril till Eugenie’s dad, Prince Andrew, stepped in. “Things got messy enough that Andrew had to get involved and pull his weight to clean this up and get the live show back on track.”

UK reports said Andrew was holding secret meetings with the BBC before the last-minute ITV deal was struck, and that he wanted his daughter to have as much attention as Harry’s big day, including a live broadcast.

Andrea Bocelli will perform, and the royal family has invited 1,200 members of the public onto the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Howard Lee, president and GM of TLC, said in a statement: “In May, we were thrilled to provide live coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. Now it’s Princess Eugenie’s turn, and US fans of the royal family will get to witness all the flourishes of this big day only on TLC.” Reps did not comment further.