Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are constantly criticized in the press, and paparazzi very often follow them around—that much is clear.
However, in the trailer for their upcoming Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, a photo that showed photographers presumably "hounding" the royal couple appears to have actually been taken at the 2011 premiere for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two in London, according to a report in The Sun.
The image used in the trailer, which appears in black and white, can be found on stock photo site Alamy, where it is indeed listed as having been taken on July 7, 2011, the day of the final Harry Potter premiere.
Of course, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had nothing to do with the picture research or video editing involved in making the trailer, but because they are its subjects, this move unfortunately has the potential to reflect badly on them.
"I don’t imagine Harry would have realized, but Netflix have been careless here as it weakens Harry’s comment about protecting his family," royal expert Ingrid Seward told The Sun. "This fake picture weakens his point."
In the short teaser for the series, Prince Harry says, "I had to do everything I could to protect my family."
The Sun photographer Doug Seeburg was at the Harry Potter premiere in 2011, and denounces the use of this particular photo in the trailer.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
"I remember going to the premiere. It was a huge event. Crowds and crowds of fans had turned out in the rain and camped overnight to see the actors. There were no members of the Royal Family there," Seeburg said.
"In the Netflix trailer it’s implied the photographers, including me, were trying to get a shot of the royal couple—but that’s nonsense.
"For a picture from that premiere to turn up in this trailer about Harry and Meghan seems like lazy picture research."
Still, it's undeniable that the Sussexes have struggled with the paparazzi over the years.
Prince Harry got into fights with them before he met his wife; the couple lied about Archie's birth to ward off the paparazzi; and they once even brought a legal claim against a pap agency. It's just that the use of that 2011 photo makes it look almost like those problems don't exist, which again, they very much do.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Law Roach Styles Naomi Campbell in Meaningful Vintage Chanel
She was the first model to wear it on a 1996 runway.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Sophie Turner Says Taylor Swift “Was an Absolute Hero to Me” After Split From Joe Jonas
“…she took my children and me and provided us with a home and a safe space.”
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Nicole Coughlan Chose to Be "Very Naked" in 'Bridgerton' in Response to "All the Conversation Surrounding My Body"
"It was amazingly empowering.”
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Almost 5 Years On From Heartbreaking "Not Really OK" Interview in Africa, Meghan Markle Says "We're Really Happy" During Nigeria Tour
A poignant update.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Brought a Personal Photographer with Them to Visit Nigeria Over the Weekend
It’s a name that you’ll no doubt recognize, at that.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Foundation Has Been Declared "Delinquent"
It seems it was a simple oversight, expected to be fixed promptly.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Meghan Markle Gets Candid About Her Journey, Telling an Audience That Her Life “Certainly Had a Plot Twist”
She then opened up about her best work/life balance advice—and it might surprise you.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Would “Love to Reconnect” with Princess Kate—But Royal Biographer Says Prince William Won’t Have It
“Harry was hit hard by the news of her cancer diagnosis,” according to Christopher Andersen.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Had No Stylist and No Glam Squad on Hand for Recent Tour of Nigeria, Her Longtime Makeup Artist Daniel Martin Says
“She’s doing everything herself, and she’s so good at it.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Wears Princess Diana's Cross Necklace During Mother's Day Weekend
The duchess made a powerful statement.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Reportedly Declined King Charles' Offer to Stay in a Royal Residence on U.K. Visit
The plot thickens.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published