The BBC has received hundreds of complaints over Prince William's appearance on The Graham Norton Show, after anti-monarchy campaign group Republic accused the broadcaster of breaching its own rules.

The Prince of Wales, 44, sat down on the show's famous red sofa to discuss the Earthshot Prize, his environmental award honouring green innovation, which was established in 2019. The episode aired on BBC One on 23 October and also featured actors Cate Blanchett and Hannah Waddingham, along with Australian environmentalist Robert Irwin.

Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy, said the programme appeared to have been "co-opted for the promotion of the Earthshot Prize, an independent charity with close ties to William". The group pointed to the BBC's own guidelines, which it said prevent the corporation from endorsing or supporting individual charities except for its own official corporate charities, such as Children in Need.

A BBC complaints report showed that 292 complaints were made about William's appearance, according to the Express. Republic's chief executive, Graham Smith, said the group would be lodging a formal complaint, adding: "The BBC has an appalling track record when it comes to royal partiality."

The BBC has been approached for comment.

Republic also highlighted a previous BBC decision involving the show, noting that in 2013 the broadcaster reprimanded Norton and his production company after he wore a World AIDS Day ribbon on air.

It is important to note that Republic's claim is an allegation, not a finding that the BBC breached its rules. No ruling has been made on whether the appearance broke the corporation's guidelines, and the complaint has yet to be formally lodged.

[Source: britbrief.co.uk](https://britbrief.co.uk/entertainment/television/bbc-row-over-prince-williams-graham-norton-show-appearance.html) | [Source: entertainmentdaily.com](https://www.entertainmentdaily.com/royals/bbc-embroiled-in-huge-row-prince-william-graham-norton-show-appearance/)