HARRY - TV NETWORK BLASTED FOR PLANS TO BROADCAST DYING DIANA PICTURE

TV NETWORK BLASTED FOR PLANS TO BROADCAST DYING DIANA PICTURE

A U.K. TV network has come under fire after ignoring protests by British royals PRINCES WILLIAM and HARRY about its plans to broadcast a picture of their mother DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, dying. Channel 4 has vowed to air the image of the princess - who was killed in a Paris car crash in 1997 - slumped in the back seat of the Mercedes moments after the fatal collision, despite calls to scrap the "distasteful" photograph. Other images show a French doctor attempting to fit an oxygen mask to Diana' face, while passers by try to help the other passengers in the vehicle. The photo caused huge uproar when it was first published in an Italian magazine last year (06), and Princes William and Harry issued a statement describing their 'great hurt' at the inclusion of the image. But Channel 4 is vowing to go ahead with plans to broadcast the photo in a documentary about the princess' death next week (begs04Jun07). A spokesman at the princes' home, Clarence House, says, "They have made their position on this very clear. They want their mother to be allowed to rest in peace." Another source adds, "They regard this picture as utterly distasteful. It is tantamount to trampling on her grave, and they are deeply saddened by any decision to show it." However, the network has defended its actions, claiming the images chosen were selected "carefully and sensitively".