Harry and Meghan lay into the British press in their Netflix show and they gave it right back. Photo / Netflix
The first three episodes of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell Netflix docuseries dropped on Thursday night.
While it’s not yet known how many people tuned in to watch the three 55-minute episodes that slammed both the monarchy and the media while simultaneously telling Harry and Meghan’s love story, the docuseries successfully sent ripples through the world’s media.
Arriving exactly three months after the death of Harry’s beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth and amid criticism for Netflix’s at times shocking fifth season of The Crown, the docuseries has arrived at a terrible time for the royal family.
The family are yet to respond to the documentary and isn’t expected to until at least the final three episodes are released next week, or even when Harry’s memoir, Spare hits shelves in January.
However, royal sources and royal experts have been speaking to the media revealing Prince William’s fury and how King Charles reacted to the series.
Those conversations, alongside details from the Californian-based royal’s documentary, have landed the front page of countless newspapers all around the world.
The Herald looks at them below.
The Sun’s first edition front page on Friday boldly branded the Duke of Sussex “Harry the nasty” and insisted the show “betrays monarchy”.
With content covering nearly the entire first nine pages of the paper, the Sun made a dig at the couple by placing the comment “how low can they go?” right beside the headline.
Friday's The Sun - Harry the nasty.@TheSun | #TomorrowsPapersToday | #FrontPages pic.twitter.com/axFv6pa08E
— First Edition (@FirstEdition) December 8, 2022
On Friday, the Mirror’s front page read “Stop This Royal Circus”, and featured a story slamming Prince Harry for “bemoaning” his treatment by the royal family again.
Royal editor Russell Myers also noted in his story that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “reignited” the war with the royals.
Friday's Mirror: Stop This Royal Circus #TomorrowsPapersToday #DailyMirror #Mirror pic.twitter.com/E7jCjlirJL
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) December 8, 2022
The Daily Mail’s Friday front page claimed the Netflix series - which is due to release another three episodes on December 15 - is a “direct hit” on Queen Elizabeth’s legacy.
Royal editor Hannah Furness noted that many royal sources found the series to be “deeply offensive” to Her Majesty’s legacy.
Friday's Telegraph: Sussexes' TV show claims are a 'direct hit' on late Queen's legacy #TomorrowsPapersToday #DailyTelegraph #Telegraph pic.twitter.com/MHcxwwjKyJ
— Tomorrows Papers Today (@TmorrowsPapers) December 8, 2022
UK newspaper the Daily Express noted on its Friday font page that the couple had “deeply upset” the royal family with their series.
Many reports have since claimed the royals “hate” Meghan and that Prince William is “furious” at his brother.
Friday’s Express: "So hurtful! Royals 'deeply upset' by Harry's slurs" #BBCPapers #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/quIuPB5Pmt pic.twitter.com/8tJZOfAS1z
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 8, 2022
The Daily Star seemingly called out the hypocrisy of the couple with its Friday front page.
Noting the couple are “publicity shy”, the publication called Harry and Meghan out for sharing the “most intimate secrets” with the entire world.
Friday’s Star: Publicity-shy couple share most intimate secrets with 8bn people” #BBCPapers #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/7FuHsAa3Vz pic.twitter.com/8C0nGrwKJw
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 2, 2022
Following the release of the documentary, Buckingham Palace hit back at the opening line where Netflix claimed Kensington and Buckingham Palace did not reply to their request for comment.
The Times’ Friday front page revealed the clash between the palace and Netflix. It has since been revealed the palace received an email from a “third party” about the docuseries.
Friday's The Times - Palace and Netflix clash over Sussexes soap opera.@thetimes | #TomorrowsPapersToday | #FrontPages pic.twitter.com/0tc6LPStcx
— First Edition (@FirstEdition) December 8, 2022
Metro made its front page about Harry’s comments on the royal family and how they marry women that “fit the mould” rather than marrying for love.
Harry’s comments were interpreted to be a dig at his father, King Charles, and brother, the Prince of Wales.
Friday’s Metro: "Royals don't marry for love" #BBCPapers #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/QTWsHCpYYe pic.twitter.com/eZaZM3LHYG
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 8, 2022
The Daily Star used its Friday front page to compare the couple’s show to Homes Under the Hammer and claimed “it’s not as good”.
They added, “With sincere apologies to Martin, Martel, Dion, Jacqui and Tommy”, and called the Duke and Duchess “Z-lister reality stars”.
Friday's front page: It's not as good as Homes Under The Hammer.#TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/lyHC5Ocjx3? pic.twitter.com/eO2MvWAskG
— Daily Star (@dailystar) December 8, 2022