Two dramatic trailers have finally dropped for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell Netflix series - which is due to hit the streaming platform on December 8 - giving viewers insight into what to expect.
Harry and Meghan will talk about the "hierarchy" of the Royal Family, and how things quickly changed after they first went public with their relationship.
The trailer, which includes footage of his mother facing paparazzi outside Buckingham Palace, also mentions the "pain and suffering" of the women marrying into the family.
More broadly, the docuseries will detail the couple's "love story" from their own perspective – but dramatic trailer clips have confirmed it will also explore about the "challenges that led to them feeling forced to step back" from the Royal Family.
The Duchess has said previously said that viewers will be able to see "the piece of my life I haven't been able to share, that people haven't been able to see – our love story".
Here we take a closer look at what we can and can't expect from the upcoming series, and everything you need to know, from release date to what has been said about it so far.
Harry & Meghan trailers
Two trailers have now dropped for the new Netflix series, with the first on December 1, and another following on December 5, giving viewers an insight into what to expect.
The first bombshell trailer teased never-before-seen images of the couple, as well as photos from their younger days.
Harry can be heard saying: "No one sees what's happening behind closed doors," while a shot of Meghan crying while looking at her phone is shown.
The prince of Wales continues: "I had to do everything I could to protect my family."
Meghan can then be heard saying: "When the stakes are this high, doesn't it make more sense to hear our story from us?".
The second explosive trailer unveils actual footage from the series, including Harry and Meghan sitting in a car looking out the window, and he can be heard saying: "It's really hard to look back on it now and go, 'what on earth happened?'"
The trailer features commentary on how Meghan was initially seen as a "rockstar," but then suddenly "everything changed".
Prince Harry also adds: "There's a hierarchy of the family. You know, there's leaking but there's also planting of stories. It's a dirty game."
While Meghan says: "I realised they're never going to protect you" before wiping away tears.
Harry also speaks about the "pain and suffering of women marrying into this institution," while the trailer showed clips of paparazzi following his mother Princess Diana.
The prince, who called deemed a "feeding frenzy", said he was "terrified" and "didn't want history to repeat itself".
When is the release date of Harry & Meghan?
Netflix has officially confirmed a release date after in the initial trailer saying it was "coming soon".
Harry & Meghan will be dropped in two stages on the platform, with the first three episodes being released on Thursday, December 8, followed by the following Thursday December 15.
Earlier reports suggested a release date delay due to the Queen's death and controversy around the latest series of The Crown, but Netflix is now moving ahead.
Have the royals said anything about the Harry & Meghan series?
None of the senior Royals have yet made any comments publicly about the Harry & Meghan series.
However, King Charles III and Prince William will reportedly hold crisis talks to respond to any allegations of racism or ill treatment of the couple.
According to royal sources, senior aides at the Palace will watch three episodes to they can respond swiftly to any allegations against the monarchy.
A senior royal source said: "There is a completely united front from the King and his family concerning the numerous attempts to privately make peace with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which sadly have once again resulted in the other side wishing to air their repeated grievances to the world.
"If there is a need to respond to anything in the upcoming series then you can be assured that response will be swift and robust."
Meanwhile, a source in contact with a Netflix production insider has said: "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."
Another royal source has said the documentary is being seen as a "declaration of war".
What will feature in the Harry & Meghan series?
Harry and Meghan's love story
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's Netflix documentary will show the "other side of their high-profile love story," according to the streaming giant.
Speaking in a recent interview with Variety magazine, the Duchess said: "It's nice to be able to trust someone with our story - a seasoned director whose work I've long admired - even if it means it may not be the way we would have told it.
"But that's not why we're telling it. We're trusting our story to someone else, and that means it will go through their lens."
Viewers can however expect new bombshell revelations, as Meghan said in an interview with The Cut that people will see "the piece of my life I haven't been able to share".
Later in the interview, she added, "So much of how my husband and I see things is through our love story. I think that’s what people around the world connected to, especially with our wedding.
"People love love. I’m not excluded in that sentiment. And our definition of love is really expansive: Partner love, self-love, the love of community and family. We use that as the baseline of the kind of shows and documentaries we want out there."
Viewers will see the "clandestine days of their early courtship and the challenges that led them to feeling forced to step beck from their full-time roles in the institution".
Interviews with friends and family
Netflix has revealed that the series will feature "commentary from friends and family, most of whom have never spoken publicly before about what they witnessed".
It hasn't yet been revealed which family members and friends who will be speaking in the documentary.
New York trip
The show will also likely feature Harry and Meghan's tour of New York where they met the mayor of the city, visited the UN and stopped by a school in Harlem last September. At the time, it was reported that Harry was spotted with a mic, sparking speculation they were capturing content.
The black wire could be seen sticking out of his trouser pocket and into his shirt and it has been suggested the couple may have been recording content for their Netflix show.
Invictus Games
In April 2022, Harry and Meghan were filmed at the Invictus Games as they hugged UK competitor Lisa Johnson and chatted to the crows.
One of the organisers later said the Netflix team had been spotted at the site with caseloads of equipment. The camera crew had to wear maroon bibs so they stood out from the crowd.
But it's worth remembering that this could have been for a separate documentary on the tournament.
What won't feature in the Harry & Meghan series?
Not a reality show
Meghan has made it clear that this is not a reality show, so unfortunately you can't expect something like The Kardashians.
During a chat with The Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen for her podcast Archetypes, Meghan said that she had "stopped watching the Housewives when my life had its own level of drama that I stopped craving....", Andy interjected "other people's", and Meghan agreed.
The TV producer then asked Meghan whether she would consider starring in the show if it relocated to Los Angeles, with Meghan joking: "So you mean really this is my audition for the Real Housewives of Montecito."
Andy replied that Meghan wouldn't need to audition because they would "build the show around you," but the Duchess quickly confirmed "there would be no reality show".
No candid footage with other Royals
Although reports suggest cameras will be following them closely, it is believed they'll be no chance of seeing any candid footage of them with the other royals.
Harry and Meghan came to the UK earlier this year for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, bringing their children Archie and Lilibet with them.
And before the trip, a source said it would be "ludicrous" to suggest they would bring the Netflix cameras with them, adding: "They aren’t even bringing a press team. It’s all very low key."
The source explained: "There has been further contact between the Duke and members of his family, but any talk of them planning to cause a scene or detract from the Queen’s celebrations is nonsense.
“They are here to see family and enjoy what will undoubtedly be an incredible moment in history.”
Requests to stall release date after Queen's death
Initially set to be titled Chapters, Page Six revealed that Meghan and Harry were desperate to delay the series to next year following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and controversy surrounding the most recent series of The Crown.
A source told the publication: "A lot of conversations are happening. I hear that Harry and Meghan want the series to be held until next year, they want to stall."
It's believed that Netflix wanted to push ahead with a December release date, while Harry and Meghan were "desperate" to edit parts of their show.
Harry and Meghan Netflix documentary FAQs
How many episodes will there be?
The Harry & Meghan series will feature six episodes, with three being released on December 8, followed by another three on December 15.
Where can I watch the Harry and Meghan documentary?
The docu-series will air exclusively on Netflix, so anyone looking to watch the show will need to sign up. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were reportedly paid an eye-watering $100million (£88 million) by the streaming giant in a huge TV deal that sparked further controversy between them and The Firm.
What is Harry and Meghan's Netflix show called?
The series is simply called 'Harry & Meghan', as confirmed in the Netflix trailer. Sources previously reported it was once called ‘Chapters’, but the royal couple changed their mind. The series will feature six episodes.
What's Harry and Meghan's documentary about?
According to Netflix, the series "explores the clandestine days of their early courtship and the challenges that led to them feeling forced to step back from their full-time roles in the institution."
The team at the streaming service explained: "In an unprecedented and in-depth documentary series, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex share the other side of their high-profile love story.
"Across six episodes, the series explores the clandestine days of their early courtship and the challenges that led to them feeling forced to step back from their full-time roles in the institution.
"With commentary from friends and family, most of whom have never spoken publicly before about what they witnessed, and historians who discuss the state of the British Commonwealth today and the royal family’s relationship with the press, the series does more than illuminate one couple’s love story, it paints a picture of our world and how we treat each other."
The couple previously spoke of making "impactful content that unlocks action" when they signed their huge Netflix deal.
They said at the time: "Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope. As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us."
Viewers can expect fresh insight into Meghan and Harry’s love story, as the Duchess has said the show will depict “the piece of my life I haven't been able to share, that people haven't been able to see – our love story”.
Will you be watching Harry and Meghan's new series? Let us know in the comments below.
