Last night ITV aired their new documentary Harry and Meghan: An African Journey about the lives of HRH Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The documentary explored their heavily publicised struggles with the media and the impact it has had on their mental wellbeing and family life.
A clip from the documentary went viral this weekend and a trending hashtag #WeLoveYouMeghan was in the UK top trends.
World Exclusive; Meghan tells me of the intense pressures of a life in the spotlight and the toll it has taken on her behind the scenes. pic.twitter.com/tpmeomj5UV
— tom bradby (@tombradby) October 18, 2019
While reactions to the clip were generally positive, their interviews in the documentary have received mixed reactions.
I went from not caring whatsoever about the British royal family to actively disliking Harry and Meghan based on these documentary interviews. A princess complaining about her life and a prince airing his problems with his sibling, just urg. https://t.co/otesTv4s8G
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) October 21, 2019
‘I never thought it would be easy but I thought it would be fair’. I hope the right wing press remember those words and understand the damage they are doing and those who consume it are complicit. Don’t buy the BS #HarryAndMeghan
— Honest Mum (@HonestMum) October 20, 2019
Sorry, I don’t want to hear another word about Meghan (and Harry’s) “struggles”. I know so many young mums who are genuinely struggling – too much work, guilt, costly childcare, credit card debt. It’s tactless and unfeeling for a Royal to complain.
— Allison Pearson (@AllisonPearson) October 18, 2019
In the documentary, Meghan said: “When I first met my now-husband, my friends were really happy because I was so happy. But my British friends said to me, ‘I’m sure he’s great but you shouldn’t do it because the British tabloids will destroy your life.’”
The documentary comes amid news that Meghan is suing the Mail on Sunday for their publication of a private letter to her father. The Mail o Sunday has repeatedly published stories about the royals’ personal lives, including staged photographs of her father in an internet cafe learning about the couple’s engagement.
The Mail on Sunday responded to the lawsuit. They said: “The Mail on Sunday stands by the story it published and will be defending this case vigorously. Specifically, we categorically deny that the Duchess’s letter was edited in any way that changed its meaning.”
Words: Hannah Wilson | Subbing: Scott Mathew