The royal drama surrounding Meghan Markle and Prince Harry has taken another twist, as BBC journalist Mishal Husain addressed the controversial claims made by Meghan in the couple's 2022 Netflix documentary, "Harry & Meghan." The documentary featured Meghan describing her and Prince Harry's November 2017 engagement interview as an "orchestrated reality show," a statement that has stirred significant backlash and debate.
In the Netflix series, Meghan expressed that the engagement interview with Husain was "rehearsed" and implied that they were not allowed to present their authentic selves. "We weren't allowed to tell our story... it was, you know, rehearsed," Meghan said. This portrayal of the engagement interview as a contrived performance has now been firmly disputed by Husain.
"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," Husain explained, as reported by The Daily Beast. "They seemed to have thought through what their new lives would be like and what marriage would mean for her life in particular."
On November 27, 2017, the engagement interview presented Harry and Meghan as the epitome of a modern royal couple. According to a palace insider, the couple "appeared the epitome of what a modern royal couple should be." Husain shared her reflections on that day, stating, "There was nothing that pointed to what would happen. It was two people who were full of joy in each other and life."
The documentary episode highlighted more than just the engagement interview. It delved into Prince Harry's long-standing criticism of the British press and the monarchy. He accused royal correspondents of perpetuating false narratives and invading his family's privacy, drawing parallels to the media harassment faced by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry further criticized the "invisible contract" between the royal family and the press, where favorable coverage is often exchanged for access. He expressed frustration with the relentless scrutiny and spread of misinformation, which he believes contributed to his and Meghan's decision to step back from royal duties and relocate to the United States.
In response to Meghan's claims, Husain responded with a phrase used by the late Queen Elizabeth II: "We know recollections may vary on this particular subject." This response mirrors the Queen's statement following Harry and Meghan's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, where Meghan alleged that a member of the royal family had raised "concerns" about the likely color of their unborn children's skin.
Royal news reporter Britanni Barger defended Meghan, stating, "She was up early, working all the time, she has the get-up-and-go attitude, but that's the American attitude, we get stuff done, and I think the British are more relaxed." Despite such defenses, scrutiny of Meghan's royal engagement remains, with reports highlighting her relatively low number of official engagements compared to other royals, such as Princess Anne.
The controversy has added another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding the Sussexes and their relationship with the British media. Critics argue that Meghan's portrayal of the engagement interview undermines the integrity of the event, while supporters maintain that her comments shed light on the pressures faced by the couple within the royal framework.
Meghan and Harry's Netflix documentary series has been a significant platform for the couple to share their side of the story, providing a glimpse into their personal experiences and the challenges they faced. As the debate over the engagement interview continues, it remains clear that the Sussexes' relationship with the media and the royal family is complex and multifaceted.
