The UK newspaper front pages were awash with outrage and upset following the launch of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s six-part Netflix documentary series.
The Guardian provides a frank review of the Harry and Meghan documentary with TV critic Lucy Mangan writing the series was “so sickening I almost brought up my breakfast”. The headline on the front reads: “Renewed frenzy, but the story remains the same.”
Guardian front page, Friday 9 December 2022: Iranian forces 'shooting at faces and genitals of female protesters' pic.twitter.com/ecFiOIlV8C
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 8, 2022
The Daily Mail offers a fierce critique of the royal couple, citing critics accusing the pair of wanting to “bring down the monarchy” and describing the tell-all as an “assault on the Queen’s legacy”.
Friday's @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/geSmgigUYU
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) December 8, 2022
The Telegraph follows a similar theme, claiming the show was a “direct hit” on the late Queen’s legacy after the Commonwealth was described as “Empire 2.0”.
The paper quotes royal sources condemning the description as “appalling and factually inaccurate” and said it was “deeply offensive” to the Queen’s memory.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 8, 2022
'Sussexes' TV show claims are a 'direct hit' on late Queen's legacy'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4O6L2Y pic.twitter.com/zLv9DVZBMo
The Times quotes a source describing the series as a “soap opera” and leads with Buckingham Palace disputing the claim that the royal family had declined to comment on the series.
The paper says a source at the palace said it only received an approach from an independent production company that it was unable to verify.
Friday's Times: Palace and Netflix clash over Sussexes soap opera #TomorrowsPapersToday #TheTimes #Times pic.twitter.com/Xu8nISz0q7
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) December 8, 2022
“Stop this royal circus” the Daily Mirror says in its headline. The paper accuses the couple of “reigniting the war of the royals” while ordinary people are struggling with a cost of living crisis.
The tabloid also reports Prince William was said to be “utterly furious” at claims of poor treatment, describing the rift between the brothers as an “unseemly squabble”.
Friday's front page - stop this royal circus #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/hern4DNr1p pic.twitter.com/r9y8QOvote
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) December 8, 2022
The Metro focuses on Prince Harry’s suggestion throughout the series that members of the royal family do not marry for love, in an apparent swipe at Prince William and King Charles.
Tomorrow's Paper Today 📰
— Metro (@MetroUK) December 8, 2022
ROYALS DON'T MARRY FOR LOVE
🔴 Harry's dig at Wills and Kate#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/mQoZxrxYkh
“Royals ‘deeply upset’ by Harry’s slurs,” the Express says. “Prince Harry fired a fresh salvo in his war on the monarchy,” the paper reports alongside an emotional close-up of King Charles.
Front page: So hurtful! Royals 'deeply upset' by Harry's slurs #TomorrowsPaperToday
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) December 8, 2022
£10 off when you spend £20 at No7: https://t.co/kROz40wXc1 pic.twitter.com/mLenq8NlKt
The Sun says “Harry the Nasty”, an apparent reference to a 2005 front page in which it called him “Harry the Nazi”. It says Prince William feels “betrayed” by Harry’s decision to allow criticism of his brother and wife Kate.
Front page of @TheSun on Friday pic.twitter.com/7lQFCForXQ
— Matt Wilkinson (@MattSunRoyal) December 8, 2022
