Oliver Chris, who plays Prince William, described the one-off film as a “thought-provoking” part of the discussion about the Royal Family after he was grilled on This Morning by hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
Holly, 36, quizzed the Green Wing actor, 38, as she asked: “The story is fiction but the characters are real with real lives and real families, they might be the Royal Family but they are still real people.”
She continued: “Do you think [Princess Diana’s ghost] was necessary to tell this story? I guess you could still have the story without that, couldn’t you?”
The star hit back: “I’m not so sure. The Royal Family have been subjected to their fair share of salacious, morbid, rubbernecking as it is.
“I personally believe that this film and play is a fabulous addition to the discussion of our on-going relationship with the Royal Family.
“I think it would strange if Diana was not present in the story, simply because she’s such a big part of the princes’ snd evidently Charles’ psychology. But if there was an absence there, I think it would more notable.”
Host Phillip, 55, then chipped in as he asked about the ghost following Prince William and Harry publicly discussing the impact of their mother’s death.
“Do you not think though [it’s distasteful], it’s been very recently that the boys have been very honest about the impact?” Phillip said, pressing the star further. Oliver simply told the hosting duo: “Which I think is an extraordinary thing to do.”
But Holly clearly was not satisfied with his answer and went on to comment: “You must have put your head in your hands when you thought, ‘Oh god, this is not going to help us either’?”
“It’s interesting, you used the word controversial at the beginning and I think it’s a really appropriate term,” he explained.
Oliver went on to say: “But I think it can mean so many things and I prefer to think of it as more thought-provoking to be honest and provocative and I think if these things initiate a discussion and a debate and minds open and we’re constantly re-evaluating.
“The play began in 2014, so this was long before this issue and I really believe couched in the nature of this film, it really isn’t distasteful at all.
“If you find it distressful, I will be very happy to sit down with anyone who’s seen that and have that debate because I think that’s the point of putting great drama on television,” he added.
King Charles III will air on BBC Two tonight at 9pm.
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10.30am.
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