Former ITN editorial director Chris Shaw has reflected on the broadcaster’s headline-grabbing 2019 interview with the Duchess of Sussex, saying the “little conversation in South Africa” seemed “so outlandishly unexpected and shocking”.
Mr Shaw, who announced his departure from the company in January after 25 years, also said there is a “contradiction” between the Sussexes’ desire for privacy and their willingness to speak about their private lives.
ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey followed the newlyweds’ tour of part of the continent and laid bare Meghan’s unhappiness.
The duchess became emotional in front of broadcaster Tom Bradby as she described her past year as a member of the royal family as “hard”.
Speaking to Deadline, Mr Shaw was asked whether the team behind the programme instantly knew the footage was “explosive”.
He said: “That little conversation in South Africa seemed so outlandishly unexpected and shocking … we knew we had something pretty extraordinary.”
The couple have since stepped back from royal duties, moved to the US and released an explosive Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan, while the duke has published a similarly headline-grabbing memoir, titled Spare.
Mr Shaw added: “I feel a bit sorry for them because I think they’re in the eye of the most appalling storm and they didn’t mean to go there.”
Harry last month made a surprise return to the UK for the first time since the late Queen’s funeral, for a High Court hearing in London in his claim against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers over allegations of unlawful information-gathering.
