The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s documentary landed on Netflix this week and has, predictably, split royal pundits and fans alike.
The series, titled Harry and Meghanwhich has been split into two “volumes”, promised to show the “other side” of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s love story.
In a trailer released ahead of the first volume’s arrival on Thursday (December 8), the Duke promised to tell ‘the whole truth’ and suggested there were ‘planted’ stories against Meghan as they were still senior members of the royal family.
Although the first three episodes did not reveal any new allegations against Buckingham Palace, the couple were criticized for their desire to broadcast the series when they were concerned about the intrusion of the press into their lives. Through a spokesperson, the couple announced their decision to step down as senior members of the Royal Family in 2020. had nothing to do with “privacy”.
While the the absence of explosive revelations this week will no doubt come as a relief to the Royal Family, experts have said King Charles III should prioritize fixing the family’s relationship with the Sussexes if they wish to see an end to the couple’s ‘complaints’.
Jo Elvin, journalist, broadcaster and podcast host Confidential Palace Told The Independent“I wouldn’t be surprised if the King quickly latched onto a new mantra: ‘What is [Queen Elizabeth II] do?’
“On the question of how to handle this inflammatory ‘documentary series’, publicly he will want to avoid any comments or actions that keep this soap opera under discussion and getting more vulgar by the hour,” she said. . “In private, however, he may have to overcome his stated desire to escape conflict and get everyone talking.
“As varied as the memories in the family may be, I think finding a way to heal Harry and Meghan’s pain should be a priority because it seems otherwise they will never run out of energy to complain and explain themselves. . An affectionate mention in his first Christmas speech would be a dignified gesture of power.
Royal commentator RS Locke said the docuseries will have more of an impact on the distance between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
It comes after Harry seemed defying Prince William’s wish for their mother’s controversy Panorama interview that will never be aired again by including an excerpt from it in the first episode of Harry and Meghan.
(Netflix)
After a report last year revealed the BBC covered up journalist Martin Bashir’s deception to secure the interview, William said it was his “firm opinion” that the Panorama the images should never see the light of day again. But speaking about the interview in his series, Harry said his mother “spoke the truth about her experience”.
“Reports of the split between Prince Harry and Prince William began as early as 2018, and last year, in the Oprah [Winfrey] interview, Harry reiterated that when he referred to the relationship as ‘space,'” Locke said The Independent.
“They say life events like death and birth can bring families together. If the death of the late queen and the birth of her niece, Lilibet – of whom there is still no confirmation that William and Kate met – couldn’t bridge the gap, I’m not sure whatever. either can do it. But the docuseries likely widened the space between the two couples even further.
Locke said the impact of the docuseries on the Sussexes’ relationship with the King and Queen Camilla is “less clear”.
“They have made efforts to reconnect with Harry, Meghan and their grandchildren over the past year with private visits when the family was in the UK,” she said. Referring to the series’ third episode, which features historian Afua Hirsch saying “racist imagery” is on display in royal palaces, Locke said any action Charles takes to “punish” the Sussexes would be ” staggered”.
“At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June, the King, who is also the head of the Commonwealth, said the ‘time has come’ to acknowledge our past and the painful and lasting impact of slavery “, she said.
“Isn’t that what docuseries does by highlighting the history of the monarchy’s role in the slave trade? It might not be how Charles would have chosen to approach the conversation, but punishing Harry and Meghan, or his mixed-race grandchildren by removing their titles, would be out of step with his own words.
However, Locke said she believes Harry and Meghan being welcome at the king’s coronation next spring will depend on the content of the programme’s second volume, which will be released on December 15.
It may also depend on the content of Harry’s next memoir, Sparewhich will be released on January 10, as well as audience reaction to the rest of the series.