Observers believe the Royal Family are bracing themselves for a controversial Netflix documentary series featuring Harry and Meghan, which airs this week. As William and Kate head back to Britain from their Earthshot work in the US, the Prince of Wales is reported to be preparing for crisis talks at the Palace with King Charles over the show, expected to air globally on Thursday.
A source in contact with a Netflix production insider reportedly told the Mirror online: “I genuinely think it’s going to be worse than the royals can imagine. I’m told that it’s going to be utterly explosive and will be very damaging.”
It follows a short trailer for the Netflix show uploaded to YouTube a few days ago, while the Prince and Princess of Wales were on a three-day visit to Boston. As the couple were championing efforts to reduce global warming, Harry and Meghan were putting out the teaser to a show that will give the inside story of why they stepped down from royal duties in the UK and headed for America.
In a burst of black and white clips, intimate moments are shared between Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, including them kissing on the kitchen counter and joking around in California, and previously unseen footage of their wedding day.
“No one sees what’s happening behind closed doors,” says Prince Harry, who then mentions children Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, adding: “I had to do everything I could to protect my family.”
Meghan chips in: “When the stakes were this high, doesn’t it make more sense to hear our story from us?”
The timing of the trailer’s release was seen by many Fleet Street observers as a “declaration of war”. The insider told the Mirror that the series could even spark a groundswell of support for Harry, who moved to California with Meghan in 2020.
The source told the Mirror: “A lot of people are either pro-Sussex or pro-William and Kate, but there’s a belief that this documentary will bring people onside with Harry and Meghan. The big question is that, whatever the revelations are, who will people side with after seeing the show? It has that feeling like the public will have to choose.
“Whatever comes out, some people will think that Harry is betraying his family and that it’s unforgiveable. But if what finally airs is as seismic as we’re led to believe then it may be good for the Sussexes.
He added: “There’s been some talk the documentary has been toned down but at the moment that’s wrong.”
According to the Mirror, royal insiders say William is ready to discuss the series with his father. The pair are expected to put on a “united front” when presenting any response. Senior palace officials are said to be ready to watch the first three episodes on Thursday to ensure swift action can be taken if needed.
Meanwhile, a video appeared on Saturday of Harry dressed as Spiderman outfit to promote a British charity. Recording a message for Scotty’s Little Soldiers – which supports children of troops who died serving in the Forces – Afghanistan war veteran Harry reassured them that they should still have fun and not carry any guilt.
The Prince said: “Christmas is a time when we miss our loved ones really, really badly and that’s OK. But at the same time, it can be possible to feel guilty for having fun without our parents. But I’m here to assure you that our parents always want us to have fun.
“Go out there, have the best time and Merry Christmas.”
The broadcast comes barely a week after the Palace was engulfed in a race row, when Prince William’s godmother, Lady Susan Hussey, stood down from her honorary royal duties on Wednesday after Ngozi Fulani, founder of charity Sistah Space, said that she had been repeatedly asked where she “really” came from.
A spokesman for Prince William responded to the row by saying “racism has no place in our society”.
To add to the controversy, there could be further revelations about royal family life with the release of Prince Harry’s book, Spare, due to be published next month.
Both Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes have been approached for comment.
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