Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slammed over claim they weren't 'allowed to tell our story' in docuseries
MONTECITO CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made waves with their 2022 Netflix documentary 'Harry & Meghan', where they leveled several accusations against the royal family.
However, some journalists and royal experts are now pushing back, challenging the validity of their claims and adding fresh perspectives to their stories, OK Magazine reported.
Markle Markle describes engagement interview as an 'orchestrated reality show'
Reflecting on their 2017 engagement interview, Markle described the moment as “rehearsed” and akin to an “orchestrated reality show.”
She recounted, "So we did the thing out with the press, then we went right inside, took the coat off, and did the interview, so it was all in that same moment. But then also like, 'and then there'll be a moment when they'll ask to see the ring.' My point is we weren't allowed to tell our story."
Harry, echoing her sentiments, added, "Well, we've never been allowed to tell our story. That's the consistency."
This perspective surprised many, including Mishal Hussain, the journalist who conducted their engagement interview.
Responding to Markle's remarks, Hussain recently said, "When the Duchess of Sussex said that my engagement interview with her and Harry was an 'orchestrated reality show', I didn't know what to make of it."
She explained, "They seemed to have thought through what their new lives would be like and what marriage would mean for her life in particular. There was nothing that pointed to what would happen. It was two people who were full of joy in each other and life."
Hussain's comments hinted at skepticism about the Sussexes’ portrayal of their engagement, a moment initially celebrated as a fairy-tale beginning.
Prince Harry accuses palace of 'lying to protect William' while ignoring Sussexes
In the series, Harry revisited rumors about Prince William allegedly "bullying" the Sussexes out of the royal fold after their 2020 decision to step back from royal duties.
Harry claimed that, without his consent, a joint statement was issued in both his and William's names denying the bullying claims.
"A story came out saying that part of the reason why Meg and I were leaving was because William had bullied us out," he explained.
"And once I got in the car after the meeting, I was told about a joint statement that had been put out, in my name and my brother's name, squashing the story about him bullying us out of the family."
He went on to reveal that Markle broke down after learning about the statement, sharing, "I rang M and I told her and she burst into floods of tears because, within four hours, they were happy to lie to protect my brother. And yet, for three years, they were never willing to tell the truth to protect us."
This claim added to the Sussexes’ portrayal of the monarchy as an institution focused on preserving its hierarchy, often at the expense of others.
Prince Harry exposes alleged royal 'pacts' and 'story planting' tactics
Not everyone is convinced by Harry and Markle's version of events. Royal expert Lord Hall dismissed their allegations, branding them as "simply untrue."
The accusations of institutional manipulation also drew attention. Harry alleged that the monarchy strategically leaked and planted stories to protect certain royals while sacrificing others.
"There's leaking, but there's also planting, of sorts," Harry explained in the Netflix series.
"So if the comms team want to be able to remove a negative story about their principal, they will trade and give you something about someone else's principal. So the offices end up working against each other."
He recalled a pact he and William once made to avoid replicating their father King Charles III's office tactics: "William and I both saw what happened in our dad [King Charles III]'s office, and we made an agreement that we would never let that happen to our office."
