12 April 2012

The death of Princess Margaret was a turning point for the Royals - a triumph of understatement, tradition and ceremony which are exactly the brand values the Royal Family should be trying to reinforce.

But just when it seemed to be getting things right, could the Royal Family have once again blundered into another PR embarrassment? Buckingham Palace has enlisted the talents of comedian Rowan Atkinson to make a one-minute television commercial as Blackadder promoting a series of Jubilee celebratory concerts.

By making fun of itself, royal advisers clearly believe they can convince us that the Jubilee is cool and witty, and that by association the Royal Family is also cool and witty. But will they just make themselves look stupid?

Can Blackadder save the Royals? - Former Tory spin doctor Amanda Platell reports.
Heat of the moment - David Rowan investigates the catty world of celebrity magazines.

Is it because I is foul-mouthed? - Former Radio 1 Controller Matthew Bannister on the Ali G 'controversy'.

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