When Charles was left ‘incandescent’ with rage: Prince William’s university privacy was punctured by crew from Edward’s TV production firm… leading to brotherly bust-up

 

It was the one place where he he had some privacy and was allowed to be ‘normal’.

During Prince William‘s time at university in Scotland, it was agreed that the media would leave him alone.

He consented to some photos and interaction – including when he first arrived at St Andrews in September 2001 – but otherwise he was supposed to be out of the public eye.

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That was until a TV firm founded by William’s uncle, Prince Edward, intruded on the new student’s life just days after he began his degree at St Andrews.

Ardent Productions had set up their cameras at the Scottish university and were apparently attempting to film William leave a lecture hall.

Historian Robert Lacey wrote about the saga in his 2020 book Battle of the Brothers: William, Harry and the Inside Story of a Family in Tumult.

When confronted by university press officer, Niall Scott, Lacey wrote how the production crew responded: ‘We’re Ardent – here’s our card. We’re making an A-Z of royalty for an entertainment channel in the States and we’re waiting to film William coming out of his lecture.’

They insisted they had permission from Edward to be there, according to Lacey, and King Charles was said to be ‘incandescent’ when he discovered what had happened.

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Prince Edward was the founder of Ardent Productions – a television company that set up cameras at St Andrews University shortly after Prince William started his studies

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Prince William had an agreement with the media to be given privacy during his degree at the Scottish university

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The 19-year-old prince with his father, Prince Charles during a visit to an education centre in Glasgow shortly before he started university in 2001

It was reported by the Daily Mail at the time that Ardent had claimed its crew had not filmed William.

A statement released by the company’s chairman, Malcolm Cockren, the day after the incident said they had arranged ‘with the full knowledge and co-operation of the University press office’ three weeks prior to the filming.

It also said: ‘Ardent Productions fully supports the restrictions on filming Prince William at St Andrews University and at no time did the crew attempt to film Prince William, gain unauthorised access or shoot on the campus.

‘Prince William was completely unaware of the incident.’

At the time it was also reported that Ardent had also invited ten students to a restaurant, where they were filmed and asked about Prince William.

Edward and his wife Sophie reportedly apologised to Charles personally for the incident afterwards.

The then Prince of Wales was said to have been so furious that he refused to take Edward’s calls for several hours.

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Prince Edward talking with Charles on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2003

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A statement released by the company’s chairman, Malcolm Cockren, the day after the incident said they had arranged ‘with the full knowledge and co-operation of the University press office’ three weeks prior to the filming

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Charles and William greeting crowds on the young prince’s arrival at St Andrews in 2001

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Prince William shakes hands with people in the crowds outside of St Andrews University

It was announced that Ardent would stop making television programmes about the royals, the Daily Mail previously reported.

At the time, the company had made 22 shows and half had been on the royals, including a documentary about the restoration of Windsor Castle following the fire in 1992.

Another saw Edward examine his great uncle, the disgraced King Edward VIII.

In 2002, Edward stepped down as joint managing director of Ardent and Sophie left her public relations firm. Both then became full time working royals.

Though Edward remained as a non-executive director of Ardent, the company went into voluntary liquidation in 2009 with just £40.27 on its books

It was reported by the Mail in 2010 how investors had previously ploughed £2.2million into the television production firm.

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William, pictured at university, started studying a degree in History of Art before changing to Geography

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William agreed to some photos and interaction with the press, including when he first arrived in St Andrews

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A Daily Mail front page following the disagreement between Charles and Edward over the filming situation

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It was later announced that Ardent would stop making television programmes about the royals, the Daily Mail previously reported