The BBC has responded to complaints over its coverage of Prince Philip’s funeral by insisting its editorial choices reflected the role the BBC plays as the national broadcaster in a moment of national significance. BBC One devoted nearly four hours of airtime to the event on 17 April. It programming, led by Huw Edwards, was watched by an average of almost 7 million people. David Attenborough, Gyles Brandreth and Alan Titchmarsh also shared memories of the Queen’s husband, who died on 9 April at the age of 99. Responding to complaints about the coverage, the BBC said on its website: “The funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was a significant event which generated a lot of interest both nationally and internationally. “We acknowledge some viewers were unhappy with the level of coverage given, and impact this had on the billed BBC One schedule. “We do not make such changes without careful consideration and the decisions made reflect the role the BBC plays as the national broadcaster, during moments of national significance. “We are grateful for all feedback, and we always listen to the response from our audiences.” The BBC’s latest statement came after its wall-to-wall coverage of the duke’s death became the most complained-about moment in British television history. Nearly 111,000 people contacted the BBC in the following days to complain about its decision to turn most of its TV channels and radio stations over to rolling tributes. The unprecedented number of complaints led the BBC to set up a dedicated online form for angry viewers within hours of Philip’s death in an attempt to streamline the process. The corporation acknowledged the complaints, but in a statement similar to that circulated about the funeral coverage, said clearing the schedules reflected its role as the nation’s main broadcaster. The BBC also broadcast scenes from the funeral service on its news channel, but BBC Two did not air coverage, instead showing the World Snooker Championship. ITV gave the event three hours’ coverage, anchored by Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham and featuring guests including the duke’s goddaughter, India Hicks. Channel 4 showed episodes of the reality show Four in a Bed, and Channel 5 aired the film A Knight’s Tale, starring Heath Ledger.