Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have claimed they told King Charles they would give up their royal titles if it meant they could leave the UK.
Speaking in their controversial Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the couple detail their decision to quit the royal family, saying they previously tried to move to New Zealand in 2018 and then to South Africa before shocking the world with an Instagram statement revealing they were moving to Canada.
Despite claims they "blindsided" the late Queen and the rest of Harry's relatives, the couple claim they had been in regular conversations with them about the move.
In the fifth episode of their six-part series, which is part of a £100m deal with Netflix, Harry explains: "My father said 'Can you put it in writing?' I said I would rather not because what had happened last time. He said he couldn't do anything unless it was put in writing. I put it in emails."
He goes on to say he sent repeated messages on January 1,2 and 3 detailing their thoughts.
He adds: "In one of those I said that if it didn't work out we would be willing to relinquish our Sussex titles if need be. That was the plan.
"We thought it would be good to give ourselves some breathing space, but we were also really passionate about continuing our work throughout the Commonwealth supporting the Queen
"Highlighting their keeness to move away from the 'royal rota', the set of royal reporters who travel around the world covering The Firm's engagements, Meghan said: "What I think is also important is that the pack of the royal rota is based there in London. If we are not there they can't cover what we are doing."
The royal family and Palace aides were steeling themselves for bombshells as Volume II of the Harry & Meghan series dropped on Netflix this morning.
Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex railed against their treatment by the Firm, and the pair further discussed their relationship with the Royal Family and the media today.
Meghan’s lawyer Jenny Afia, in a trailer released on Wednesday, alleged she had seen evidence of briefing from the Palace against the couple to suit other people’s agenda.
The duchess herself was seen saying: "You would just see it play out, like a story about someone in the family would pop up for a minute and they’d go 'We’ve got to make that go away’.”
Her friend Lucy Fraser added: "Meg became this scapegoat for the Palace. And so they would feed stories on her whether they were true or not to avoid other less favourable stories being printed.”
Ms Afia said: "There was a real kind of war against Meghan and I’ve certainly seen evidence that there was negative briefing from the Palace against Harry and Meghan to suit other people’s agendas.”
Harry, in another trailer, said "They were happy to lie to protect my brother (William). They were never willing to tell the truth to protect us”, while Meghan said she was “fed to the wolves”.
Meanwhile, the royal family, including King Charles and Prince William are out on a joint engagement today, putting on a united front as they join the Princess of Wales for her Christmas carol concert in Westminster Abbey.
Nearly 2,000 people are set to gather at Abbey for some festive cheer, staged to hail the “selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK, and celebrate and showcase the joy that human connection and togetherness can bring”.
Kensington Palace said the second carol service Kate has held was dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II and the values she demonstrated throughout her life, including “duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others”.
The first part of Sussexes’ six-part show has become the streaming giant’s most-watched documentary in a premier week, a spokesman revealed this week, with a staggering 81.55 million hours viewed.
Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have declined to comment so far on any allegations
Last week, royal insiders have said the King and William will keep “a dignified silence” and not engage in a “tit-for-tat” battle.
