Prince Harry and the Men in Grey Suits

Prince Harry and the Men in Grey Suits

Author: BBC Radio 4 October 1, 2025 Duration: 28:23

It was all going so well. Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like a genuine reconciliation was on the cards between Prince Harry and his father, the King. But in the past few days, there's been a blizzard of headlines, anger and yet another breakdown of trust.

At the heart of it, a leak about a private meeting between Harry and his father. Harry's side have blamed 'the men in grey suits' for trying to sabotage any such reconciliation.

This week, David and Simon look at the timing of the leak - and whether classic PR diversionary tactics were employed to take the heat away from other damaging royal stories. Or is the whole thing more of a coincidence than a conspiracy?

Also, on the extended edition on BBC Sounds, cyber attacks and why they pose such a huge PR threat to businesses big and small. Whether it's Jaguar Land Rover being forced to suspend operations or a nursery chain having thousands of images of children stolen - how they communicate with us matters more than ever.

And we look at the rather fabulous reaction of members of the Guinness family to the new Netflix show about the brewing dynasty. Just what are your options when you or your family is portrayed on screen? Is it better to embrace or ignore? Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4


Tune in to When It Hits the Fan for a masterclass in reputation management, hosted by two insiders who have lived through the pressure of the headlines. David Yelland, former editor of The Sun, and communications expert Simon Lewis, bring their unparalleled experience to this BBC Radio 4 podcast. Each week, they dissect the most spectacular public relations meltdowns making news, offering a rare glimpse into the frantic world of crisis managers and spin doctors. You’ll hear them trace the origins of a scandal, pinpointing the exact moment strategies began to unravel and public perception shifted. This isn't just commentary; it's a forensic breakdown of how modern media storms are weathered or worsened by those in charge. The analysis is grounded in real-world stakes, exploring the political and personal consequences of every misstep and recovery attempt. For anyone fascinated by the intersection of media, power, and human error, this podcast provides an essential and gripping narrative. Listening feels like being in the room for a candid, post-mortem between two veterans who understand the game better than most. Their conversations reveal the mechanics behind the news cycle, making sense of how stories explode and what happens when control is lost.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

When It Hits the Fan
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