Monarchy Not At All Pleased

Ah, there’s nothing like a good royal spat to liven up a dreary November.

Buckingham Palace growled at the BBC on Thursday, expressing doubts about its account of its exclusive interview with Princess Diana.

The interview is widely regarded as Diana’s revenge for her husband’s nationally broadcast confession last year that he had strayed from his marriage vows.

The National Grid, which runs Britain’s electric transmission system, said it was preparing for a surge when the nation switches on its tea kettles after watching the interview Monday night.

The British Broadcasting Corp. says the interview grew out of a documentary project on the monarchy by the Panorama program.

Unlikely, said the palace. “We knew nothing at all of such an inquiry being made by Panorama,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

The palace was unaware of Diana’s cooperation until she announced it on Tuesday, Charles’ 47th birthday.

“In fact, Panorama did an extensive program on the monarchy last December. We have not heard anything from Panorama since,” said the spokesman, speaking anonymously as usual.

The National Grid said demand surged 700 megawatts right after the screening of Prince Charles’ interview last year. Studies indicate the surge mainly comes from tea kettles being switched on.