Reactions Mixed Following Netflix Series Critiquing Media Treatment of the Royals

Britain’s press has expressed outrage over Prince Harry and Meghan’s documentary series, which criticises the UK media’s treatment of the couple. However, much of the public has reacted with indifference, with Buckingham Palace choosing not to comment and the Prime Minister admitting he hasn’t watched the show.

The first three hour-long episodes of “Harry and Meghan” premiered on Thursday, with three additional episodes set to release on December 15. So far, the series has not revealed the explosive content that some royal observers had anticipated.

Throughout the programme, Harry and Meghan, alongside friends and family members, share their early lives, the growth of their relationship, and their dissatisfaction with the media’s perceived racist treatment of Meghan, as well as the lack of support from the royal family. The couple stepped back from royal duties in early 2020, relocating to California to pursue careers as advocates, philanthropists, and media figures.

Central to the documentary is the complex and often fraught relationship between the British royal family and the media. Harry has long spoken out against media intrusion, which he believes affected his childhood and contributed to the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi.

Meghan alleges that the media aimed to “destroy” her, while Harry describes a relentless “feeding frenzy” surrounding his wife. These claims have provoked backlash from British newspapers, many of which featured their indignation prominently in headlines and editorials.

Some outlets took issue with the documentary’s assertion that the Commonwealth, an organisation previously led by Queen Elizabeth II, is an extension of the British Empire’s racist legacy. The Daily Telegraph called the series a “direct hit” on the queen’s legacy, while the Daily Mail condemned it as a “hatchet job.” The Sun claimed the documentary was tailored for an American audience, prioritising the couple’s financial gain over truth.

Scottish newspaper Daily Record reported that the palace was taken aback by the allegations, with the headline: “We are not amused.” Conservative MP Bob Seely announced plans to introduce a bill to strip Harry and Meghan of their royal titles, accusing Harry of attacking vital British institutions and profiting from his family’s issues. Employment Minister Guy Opperman labelled the couple “utterly irrelevant” and suggested a boycott of Netflix.

The Prime Minister’s office distanced itself from Seely’s proposal and the idea of a Netflix boycott, stating, “It’s a matter for the public what channels they want to watch.” A spokesman noted that Rishi Sunak had not viewed the series and that the government would refrain from commenting on royal matters.

This documentary arrives at a pivotal time for the monarchy, as King Charles III aims to reaffirm the institution’s relevance following the queen’s death in September. The king has not publicly addressed the documentary, even during recent engagements in London and a visit to Wrexham AFC, where he met the team’s Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, both of whom also claimed they hadn’t watched the series.

Public reactions in the UK have been mixed, with some expressing fatigue over the ongoing saga between the Sussexes, the palace, and the media. In London, 59-year-old Lucy Barratt remarked that the documentary seemed “too much,” though she indicated she might still watch it.