Article updated 05/12/22: A Second Trailer Drops
A second trailer for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's long-awaited Netflix documentary dropped today, which hints at more of what the couple mean by sharing their 'truth' about hardships faced while within the innermost circle of the royal family.
It delves into the 'war against Meghan' too, which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex believed was being waged by the British press.
'It's really hard to look back on it now and go "what on earth happened?'"' Prince Harry narrates.
'There's a hierarchy of the family, you know, there's leaking, but there's also planting of stories. It's a dirty game.
'The pain and suffering of women marrying into this institution, this feeding frenzy. I was terrified, I didn't want history to repeat itself.
'No one knows the full truth. We know the full truth.'
The clip features footage of his late mother Princess Diana, and of Markle pregnant with their daughter Lilibet.
'I realised, they're never going to protect you,' Markle says in the clip.
Article updated on 01/12/22: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's long-awaited Netflix documentary trailer has finally arrived, and to say it's emotional would be an understatement.
On Thursday, Netflix released the trailer for the hotly-anticipated documentary - titled Harry & Meghan - which begins with a reel of black-and-white photos showing several never-before-seen images of the couple in their most intimate moments behind closed doors.
The pictures include those of the couple on holiday in South Africa, Harry playing the guitar for his partner on a lawn, the couple mid-dance at their 2018 wedding, and a shot of Markle with her burgeoning baby bump.
'No one sees what goes on behind closed doors,' Prince Harry says to camera as footage and imagery of the pair flash by, including a picture of Markle with her head in her hands while speaking on the phone.
In another clip, the mother-of-two is seen sitting next to her husband of four years, who has his head titled back, while she wipes tears away from her face.
'I had to do everything I could to protect my family,' Prince Harry notes to camera, before the trailer comes to its final moments and a poised Markle asks the viewer: 'When the stakes are this high, doesn't it make sense to hear our story from us?'
Harry & Meghan will be released on December 8, 2022 on Netflix.
Article updated on 20/07/22: Netflix is reportedly hoping that it's Meghan Markle and Prince Harry-focussed documentary will air around the same time as the release of season five of its hit series The Crown.
According to Page Six, it's believed the steaming platform is hoping to coincide the documentary's launch with that of the series in November in order to capitalise on the Duke's upcoming biography, which is set to be released this winter.
The upcoming series of The Crown stars Australian actor Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana and The Affair star Dominic West as Prince Charles.
Article originally published on 15/07/2021: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's post-working royal life has involved signing a deal with Netflix.
The New York Times reported in September 2020 that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex founded a production company (later confirmed to be Archewell Productions) and signed a multiyear deal with the steaming service, which will pay them to make documentaries, docu-series, feature films, scripted shows and children’s programming.
While Markle previously declared that she had no plans to continue her acting career during her engagement interview in November 2017, the former Suits star is set to appear in front of the camera again with her husband for their Netflix projects.
‘Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope,’ the couple said in a statement confirming the news. 'As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us.’
The couple added that the streaming platform’s ‘unprecedented reach will help us share impactful content that unlocks action’.
‘We’re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere,’ Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-chief executive and chief content officer, reportedly stated.
In February 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle elaborated on their decision to sign a deal with Netflix when they sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a televised interview special which dominated global headlines for many days.
Prince Harry told Winfrey that making deals with 'streamers' was never in their plan, but was suggested to them by a friend. He also said the reason they are doing it is to be able to afford the appropriate level of security for his family. Since stepping back as senior working members of the royal family, they are financially independent from the monarchy and no longer receiving taxpayer's money and royal funding.
'We're certainly not complaining,' Harry clarified. 'Our life is great now. We've got a beautiful house, I've got a beautiful family, the dogs are really happy... from my perspective all I needed was enough money to pay for security to keep my family safe.'
Prince Harry later opened up about being able to buy the house due to the inheritance he received from his late mother, Princess Diana, but needed the top-up of income for security costs.
The Sussexes have collaborated with Disney and Apple on projects in the past, and Variety previously reported that the couple met with NBCUniversal.
The pair's new Netflix deal signals a landmark decision for the pair who follow in the footsteps of friends Barack and Michelle Obama.
In 2018, Netflix signed the former US President Barack Obama and US first lady to work on scripted and unscripted series as well as docu-series, documentary films, and multi-million pound feature productions.
In 2020, the film American Factory, which the Obamas produced, took home the award for best documentary at the 92nd Oscars.
What TV shows have been confirmed for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Netflix partnership?
Heart of Invictus
On April 6 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first programme for Netflix was confirmed as a documentary series about the Invictus Games, which Prince Harry established in aid of wounded veterans in 2014.
The documentary, Heart of Invictus, will tell the human stories behind the athletes - who are all former service members - as they prepare for the next games, which will take place in The Hague in 2022.
In a statement, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Prince Harry said:
'Since the very first Invictus Games back in 2014, we knew that each competitor would contribute in their own exceptional way to a mosaic of resilience, determination, and resolve. This series will give communities around the world a window into the moving and uplifting stories of these competitors on their path to the Netherlands next year.
... I couldn’t be more excited for the journey ahead or prouder of the Invictus community for continuously inspiring global healing, human potential and continued service.
According to the outlet, Prince Harry will appear in the docu-series and executive produce it.
What shows about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are rumoured to be happening?
According to Page Six, Prince Harry and Markle are working on a more personal 'at-home with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex-style' docu-series.
However, neither representatives for Netflix nor the Sussexes have addressed the rumours.
Reps for the couple previously shut down insisted that they would not be taking part in any reality shows when they signed a Netflix deal in 2020.
What will the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Netflix shows be about?
Most of the partnership's subject matter is a mystery right now, but given what we know about the couple's interests and passions, we've selected some potential topic areas:
- Conservation and the environment: Meghan's one foray into the entertainment industry over the past year was when she narrated the Disney Plus documentary Elephants, which followed a herd travelling down the Zambezi river and benefitted the organisation Elephants Without Borders. The couple had previously worked with the organisation during a visit to Botswana.
- Mental health: The couple have spoken openly about the importance of positive mental health and Harry is working on a series about mental health with the couple's friend, Oprah Winfrey for Apple TV.
- Social justice: Over the last few months in particular, the couple have spoken more and more about racism following increased support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd's death. Meghan has spoken about racial discrimination at length before - including about her own experiences in an essay on her biracial identity for ELLE magazine in 2015 - and has long been devoted to uplifting Black people and the anti-racism movement. Similarly, Meghan has identified gender equality as a hugely important issue to her, evident by her many engagements as a royal and her work before and after her time in the royal household.
- Future leaders: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have consistently spoken of young people being the future we need for change and activism. They have worked with young people as part of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, Meghan has joined workshops for the One Young World summit which is all about preparing the leaders of tomorrow and, Harry has selected and awarded young recipients of the Diana Award - an accolade in honour of his late mother delivered to young people striving for change.
What else are Meghan Markle and Prince Harry up to?
In June 2020, it was revealed that the couple had signed to the same speaking agency as their friends Michelle and Barack Obama. Since leaving the White House, the 44th President and First Lady have also founded a production company, Higher Ground. So, if the Sussexes need any advice, they know who to call.
The royal couple also joined forces with Spotify to produce a podcast through their company, Archewell Audio, which will be about giving voices to inspirational people. It was previously confirmed that Prince Harry has also started working with two companies and initiatives, meanwhile the couple are still launching their own nonprofit organisation, Archewell - named in honour of their son.
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Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
