In a startling revelation that peels back the curtain on the bizarre world of royal reporting, former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond has confessed to breaking a specific Buckingham Palace underwear edict during her tenure.
The esteemed journalist, who became a household name through her coverage of the Royals throughout the tumultuous 1990s, shared the peculiar detail on a recent episode of '>The Royal Beat' podcast. She explained that palace officials would explicitly instruct reporters on what to wear—and what not to wear—during their briefings.
The Bizarre Briefing on Brassieres
"They would actually say, 'Please don't wear a black bra because it might show through your clothing,'" Bond recounted, highlighting the astonishing level of control exerted over the press corps. This sartorial guidance was part of a broader effort to maintain a certain decorum and prevent any distraction from the official messages being delivered.
Bond, however, admitted to a act of minor rebellion. "I'm afraid I did sometimes wear a black bra," she declared, adding with a hint of defiance, "and I don't think the world came to an end." This small act of non-compliance serves as a fascinating example of the unspoken tensions between the institution of the monarchy and the journalists tasked with covering it.
A Front-Row Seat to Royal History
Beyond the underwear anecdote, Bond offered a rare glimpse into the unparalleled access she was granted. Her position allowed her a proximity to the Royal Family that is almost unthinkable today.
"I was in and out of the palace every day. I knew the way to the press office better than I knew the way to my own kitchen," she shared. This unique relationship meant she was often briefed by the Queen's own press secretary, receiving information directly from the source during one of the most turbulent periods for the monarchy, including the painful aftermath of Princess Diana's death.
Her reflections paint a picture of a bygone era in royal journalism, built on a foundation of regular, intimate access that has since been replaced by more formal and distant media relations.
