The royal family are no strangers to the damage an explosive exposé can wreak on their public perception—especially when the interview or documentary subject comes from outside the firm.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s explosive documentary Harry & Meghan, is the latest incendiary sit-down interview pointing fingers inside the firm, revealing in their own words for the first time the culpability they played in their choice to step down as senior members of the royal family.
However, what is more shocking than the role the royal family played in forcing Prince Harry’s hand to ‘protect his family’ by leaving entirety, is their reaction to the documentary itself.
The first part of the documentary sees blame placed on Harry’s family members and their responsibility of allowing British tabloids to espouse and direct racial abuse at Meghan throughout the duration of their relationship.
Amongst other allegations, Prince Harry claims that the royal family took an imperturbable stance regarding the mistreatment by the press, citing that the firm believed constant persecution in the press was a ‘rite of passage’.
Throughout the documentary, the key message repeated by the royal family is ‘say nothing, do nothing’, seemingly silencing Meghan and Harry from speaking their truth. And it’s a stance that the royal family are taking in the wake of these explosive revelations.
Below, here is what everything the royal family have said about Harry & Meghan, and their response to the documentary.
How Has The Royal Family Responded To Harry & Meghan?
The opening title of Harry & Meghan summarises the royal family’s response to the documentary, and in turn their relationship with the Sussexes.
“Members of the royal family declined to comment on the content within this series”, reads the opening title, signalling that the firm are keeping pretty tight lipped what they truly think about Harry & Meghan choosing to speak out.
So far, no senior members of the royal family have broken their silence on the documentary.
According to reports, King Charles was questioned on whether he had seen the series during an engagement in London, to which he replied with silence.
As we know, a non statement is a statement in itself.
This approach harks back to the statement that the late Queen Elizabeth made in January of 2020 about the pair leaving the firm.
“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as family while remaining a valued part of my family,” she said.
It’s certainly possible that the royal family’s silence on the matter is an indication of their wish for the Sussexes to have remained in their roles as senior royals, albeit respecting their decision to leave.
Did The Royal Family Know About Harry & Meghan?
Following the release of the docuseries, representatives for Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace advised that they weren’t even approached for commentary.
Taking to social media, ITV NEWS royal editor Chris Ship tweeted that “palace sources say neither they nor any Family member have been approached at any time”. Ship added that the royal family will not comment on But they won’t respond to anything claimed in the series first part.
However, several hours later representatives for some members of the Royal family backflipped and claimed that they did receive requests for comments, but they did not recognise the production company making the inquiry.
“Sources at Netflix insist they did reach out to press teams for King Charles and for Prince William and were given the right to reply to Harry & Meghan’s claims,” wrote Sharp.
“A source says Kensington Palace did receive a comment request, but from a third-party production company (via a different, unknown organisation’s email address). They contacted Archewell Productions and Netflix to try and verify but received no response,” also added Yahoo’s Royal Executive Editor, Omid Scobie.
Scoobie also wrote that “household offices for both the Prince and Princess of Wales, and King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort were contacted and given sufficient time to respond”.
Based on Netflix’s assertions, the royal family were aware of the documentary well ahead of the release date.
However with the impending release of the documentary’s second part, we’re assuming that this isn’t the last time we’ll hear from the royal family about the series—regardless if it comes through their press representatives or themselves.
Harry & Megan Volume II airs on December 15 on Netflix.
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