For all the talk of a reconciliation between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family in recent years, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix docuseries looks like it's going to seriously deepen their rift.
Following the release of a second teaser trailer for Harry & Meghan on Dec. 5, royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti tells Marie Claire, "We haven’t seen much of Prince Harry for a while, so it’s good to see the documentary makers captured the moment he came to realize there’s a hierarchy in the Royal Family. It's original, philosophical insights like that that will be of deep interest to royal historians of the future."
With that said, Sacerdoti is critical of the series as a whole, and predicts the worst for royal relations in the months after its release. "This seems to be an open declaration of war within the Royal Family," the expert comments.
Specifically, the commentator believes the royal couple's media appearances is at odds with the desire to live a more low-key life they've expressed in the past, as one of the reasons for their royal exit.
"Harry and Meghan could easily escape what they try to portray as press intrusion into their lives if they just chose to live the quieter life people understood them to want," Sacerdoti says.
"If they don’t want photographers in their life, they could stop hiring them.
"Instead they’ve been spotted constantly trailed by photographers and video crews, and one of the trailers for their Netflix reality show even has a photo in it which was taken in Buckingham Palace, reportedly by their unauthorized private photographer who they brought with them.
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.
"Private photographers in the Palace needed to be cleared by the Queen at the time, but the Telegraph reported they did not seek her permission and said that palace staff were surprised by the photographer’s presence."
Sacerdoti concludes, "Meghan and Harry could maintain a more modest, low-key existence, supporting causes and charities they think are important, or actually training in new skills and getting regular jobs. But they are choosing not to do so. This is a clear decision, and one the public will judge them for, for good of for bad."
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 InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. 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.
-
Zendaya's Method Dressing Marathon Is Over
She found a new way to serve in custom Vera Wang.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Bitten Lips Took Center Stage at Dior Fall 2024 Show
Models at the Dior Fall 2024 show paired bitten lips with bare skin, a beauty trend that will take precedence this season.
By Deena Campbell Published
-
30 Spring Items That Solve My Expensive-Taste-on-a-Humble-Budget Dilemma
See every under-$300 spring item on my wish list.
By Natalie Gray Herder Published
-
Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cookery Show Begins Filming Today—But Not Where You’d Expect It to Be Shot
The Sussexes are having a busy week this week, shooting both of their his-and-her Netflix shows and rolling out the first product offering for Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand American Riviera Orchard Reveals Its First Product Offering
Fifty samples were sent out in the company’s first limited edition run of the item.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle Thinks Prince Harry Is "Making a Big Mistake" in Wanting to Reach Out to William, Kate: Source
She's worried he'll get hurt again.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry "Loves Being a Dad" to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, According to His Longtime Friend
Parenthood suits the Duke of Sussex.
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
King Charles “Desperately” Wants the Sussexes to Join Him at Balmoral This Summer
The castle in the Scottish Highlands, independent of a potential Sussex visit, is undergoing a major change starting this summer.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Officially Announce Two New Netflix Series, Both In the “Early Stages” of Production
One show focuses on one of Meghan’s primary hobbies, while the other goes behind the curtain of one of Harry’s foremost passions.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Diana Would Be "Absolutely Distraught" Over the State of Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship, Expert Claims
She wanted them to have each other's backs.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Meghan Markle Feels Princess Kate Should Have Had Her Back as a Fellow "Outsider," Says Expert
Meghan doesn't want to repair their relationship, supposedly.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published