Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones: The True Story

The Wessexes are poorly served by this lackluster program offering separate profiles of Sophie and Edward, interspersed with protracted sequences of Princess Diana, always managing to eclipse the couple who, commentators observe, “have never achieved the same charismatic effect.” Sophie, in particular, is savaged in everything from her physical charm (“not as gorgeous as Diana,” “shorter torso….doesn't show clothes well”) to her charitable works (hinting at exploitive motives) and her love for Edward (“hankering for social position”). Edward is treated more gently, although it's observed that he is “arrogant and pompous” and he's shown in an unflattering encounter with the press. The program ends on a conciliatory note with the observation that this couple is unobtrusively compatible with “the firm” and that their union is likely to be a success. Let's hope that the title “the true story” of Sophie and Edward is not a case of truth in advertising and that the 12 other titles in The Royal Family Collection are more enjoyable. This one is not recommended; others include: Prince Charles at 50: Heir to Sadness, Prince William & Prince Harry: The Next Royal Generation, Princess Diana: A Day in the Life and Queen Camilla: The True Story. Aud: P. (J. Reed)