Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix Doc Could Make Them Look "Spiteful and Jealous," Royal Expert Says
That would be sub-ideal.
In the explosive second trailer for Netflix Harry & Meghan, Prince Harry says, "There's a hierarchy of the family. You know, there's leaking... but there's also planting of stories."
Whether intentionally or not, Harry and Meghan Markle's docuseries is set to heavily disrupt the business-as-usual attitude of the Royal Family in Britain, and royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti calls the Sussexes' decision to move forward with this show an "attack" against the working royals.
For him, what we know so far about the series—which drops its first batch on Dec. 8, and its second on Dec. 15—could reflect badly on Harry, perhaps making him look like he's jealous of his brother's standing in the royal pecking order.
"It seems to me that jealousy may be behind much of this attack," Sacerdoti tells Marie Claire.
"Harry complains of the hierarchy in the Royal Family, as if he’s unique in realizing that a family where people are literally numbered in the line of succession according to their importance might have a pecking order."
In particular, Sacerdoti picks out the inclusion of photos of Prince William and Princess Kate in the two trailers released in recent days as likely to tell us what we can expect from the actual episodes.
"The trailers have both featured shots of the Princess of Wales, and it seems William and Catherine might come in for specific attack," the expert continues.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"If that is the case, it’s really quite bad for Meghan and Harry, because it makes them look spiteful and jealous. They always said they were all about compassion, but it certainly doesn’t look that way."
Sacerdoti also takes issue with the planning of this project as the late Queen's health declined. For him, "The couple have nothing to sell but controversy and drama."
For reference, in the Sussexes' Oprah interview in 2021, they revealed a series of bombshells, including an accusation of racism against the royals, and the duchess' struggle with suicidality during her time in the U.K.
Many expect that Harry & Meghan will go even further than that interview did, though nobody outside of those involved in its production knows what it contains at this stage.
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.
-
Kate Middleton Took a Vacation Skiing in the Alps with Prince William and Their Kids Amid Her Cancer Recovery
"They looked like a normal English family, and a lot of people didn't recognize them."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
'Catastrophe' Made Me Excited to Turn 40. 10 Years Later, It's Still the Best Depiction That Age Is Just a Number
Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney's unconventional romance series was the first show that made me embrace getting older.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Blake Lively’s Official Response to Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuit Is That “It Will Fail”
"This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Kate Middleton Took a Vacation Skiing in the Alps with Prince William and Their Kids Amid Her Cancer Recovery
"They looked like a normal English family, and a lot of people didn't recognize them."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Kate Middleton Was Spotted Touring a London School, Fueling Speculation That Prince George Won’t Go to Eton After All
Kate's cancer battle might have changed her perspective on where George should go to school, a source says.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Kate Middleton Made a Secret, “Under the Radar” Hospital Visit to Thank Nurses and Doctors for Supporting Her During Her Cancer Battle
Kate made a "strictly private" visit in December o personally deliver gifts to the people involved in her treatment.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Princess Kate Chose When to Reveal She Was in Remission for a Very Good Reason and It “Speaks Volumes”
"It’s such a weird disease, it stops you and makes you evaluate and review your life," a patient who met the princess said.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Lilibet Resembles Another One of Prince Harry's Relatives in Adorable Throwback Photo
The Royal Family genes are exceedingly strong.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
How Princess Kate Gave Cancer Patients "Not Just Sympathy But Empathy Too"
"The princess’s presence on the wards was so encouraging and sent the message 'I went through this just like you, and you can overcome it, too'."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Is Dealing With "Huge Generational Pressure" as He Prepares for the Throne With Kate Middleton
"Disastrous members of the family" are reportedly "wary of his wrath."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Norwegian Royal Family Releases Serious Update Regarding Queen Sonja's Health After Skiing Incident
The Queen Consort was previously hospitalized for her condition and is set to undergo surgery.
By Amy Mackelden Published