Netflix vs Buckingham Palace! How Harry & Meghan is reigniting royal controversy: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s docuseries is a hit, but are they really ‘declaring war’ on the family?

STORYdpa

Dec 13, 2022

Office workers in London watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial documentary being aired on Netflix, on December 8. Photo: AP

The long-awaited debut of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Netflix docuseries finally aired on December 8, filling live blogs, news headlines and TV screens across Britain

It comes after Queen Elizabeth’s death in September, and doesn’t mention the royals much except Princess Diana, but its second half may reveal more on December 15

The release of the first three episodes of Harry & Meghan, the Netflix series from King Charles’ younger son and his American wife, Meghan Markle, sent a nation accustomed to palace intrigue and royal drama into overdrive on December 8.

The BBC, The Guardian and the Daily Mail launched live blogs that were active for hours while the show aired, giving it the same treatment as developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and the recent contest for prime minister.

A woman watches an episode of the newly released Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan about Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in London, on December 8. Photo: AFP

TV news in the United Kingdom has led with the series, in which Prince Harry accuses his family of having an “unconscious bias” against his biracial wife, and Markle characterises the British media as being out to “destroy” her.

Royal commentators and paparazzi, last out in full force months ago after the death of Queen Elizabeth, are now able to renew the symbiotic relationship with a palace that needs them to thrive.

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in a photo booth. Photo: Handout

The six-part documentary series follows the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from their first flirtations through their dramatic departure from London to California, where they live on a sprawling ranch in Santa Barbara County. It was filmed between 2020 and 2022 and wrapped up before the queen’s death in September.

Queen Elizabeth’s son King Charles will have his formal coronation in May. His elder son and Harry’s brother – Prince William – is next in line for the throne.

Promotional art for the documentary Harry & Meghan, directed by Liz Garbus. Photo: Netflix