Everything Revealed In The Netflix Docuseries Harry & Meghan

After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the UK to live a life by their design, the famous couple took up residence in California and founded a production company named Archewell Productions. The company's mission is to share inspirational stories, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to share their own story first.

The docuseries Harry & Meghan premiered on Netflix in late 2022, giving the public an insider's perspective of what it's like to be a part of--and abruptly leave-- the modern-day British royal family.

Meghan Says She Never Received Etiquette Lessons Like In The Princess Diaries

meghan-netflix-interview
Netflix
Netflix

Although Meghan Markle was already an actress who had appeared on TV, she wasn't prepared for her role as Duchess of Sussex. And while all eyes were on her to fit the part, Meghan confesses that she never received proper instruction on how to do so.

Meghan said, "Joining this family, I knew that there was a protocol for how things were done. And do you remember that old movie Princess Diaries with Anne Hathaway? There's no class and some person who goes, 'Sit like this. Cross your legs like this. Use this fork. Don't do this. Curtsy then. Wear this kind of hat. It doesn't happen."

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry is Well-Aware of the Mistreatment Of Women Marrying Into The Royal Family

ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1342104290
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

"My mother was harassed throughout her life with my dad, but after they separated, the harassment went to new levels," Harry said in the docuseries.

ADVERTISEMENT

After seeing firsthand the "pain and suffering of women marrying into this institution," Harry knew that he couldn't stand by while Meghan was subjected to the same treatment as his late mother, Princess Diana. "What happened to my mum...I didn't want history to repeat itself," he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meghan Knew The Royal Family Wouldn't Protect Her

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Harry and Meghan
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

Although being associated with the British royal family was the cause of all of the commotion that began surrounding Meghan everywhere that she went, it quickly became apparent that the institution was not going to offer Meghan protection.

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry said, "As far as a lot of the family were concerned, everything that she was being put through, they had been put through as well. So it was almost like a rite of passage. Some of the members of the family were like, 'Right, but my wife had to go through that, so why should your girlfriend be treated any differently? Why should she be protected?"

ADVERTISEMENT

Meghan Really Didn't Know Who Harry Was

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1211014408
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
ADVERTISEMENT

Harry and Meghan explain that they were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. When Meghan was informed of who she would be going out with, she didn't even know who Harry was!

ADVERTISEMENT

The docuseries shows the couple watching a video interview of Meghan the year before they were set up. When asked if she would choose Prince William or Harry, She shrugs, someone off camera suggests Harry, and she answers, "Sure," admitting she didn't know anything about either of them.

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry Compares Meghan to His Mum, Princess Diana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Meghan
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

Throughout the docuseries, Prince Harry points out the parallels between Meghan's life and his late mother's.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said, "So much of what Meghan is and how she is, is so similar to my mum. She has the same compassion; she has the same empathy; she has the same confidence; she has this warmth about her."

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry and Meghan Want To Tell Their Side Of The Story

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-883916198
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In the trailer of the docuseries, Harry explains that he and Meghan decided to film and release the Netflix docuseries in order to tell their side of the story, saying, "We know the full truth."

ADVERTISEMENT

Notably, none of the other members of the British royal family are interviewed in the docuseries, which fully focused on Harry and Meghan's point of view. "When the stakes are this high, doesn't it make more sense to hear our story from us?" Meghan asks.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I accept that there will be people...who disagree with what I've done and how I've done it."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1198421581
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Prince Harry reveals that once he knew in his gut that his family with Meghan wouldn't be happy living within the strict rules of the institution, he had to make a change, regardless of what anyone else believed.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I accept that there will be people around the world who fundamentally disagree with what I've done and how I've done it. But I knew that I had to do everything I could to protect my family, especially after what happened to my mum," Harry said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry Knew He Had To Protect His Family

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
harry
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

With the paparazzi following their every move, Harry felt anxious on a daily basis, as it wasn't just himself that he had to worry about anymore.

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry said, "You want to talk about history repeating itself, they're not going to stop until [Meghan] dies. It's incredibly triggering to potentially lose another woman in my life, but the list is growing."

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry's Worst Nightmare: A Paparazzi Car Chase

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Collage Maker-18-May-2023-10-41-AM-3114
Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Unfortunately, with all of the press Harry and Meghan have received, the paparazzi gained an interest in the couple. Many will remember the day Princess Diana passed away following a horrific car crash while her driver was trying to get away from the paparazzi. Sadly, her son, Prince Harry, his wife, Meghan Markle, and his mother-in-law, Doria, experienced a similar incident in May 2023.

ADVERTISEMENT

A spokesperson for the couple said, "Last night, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Ms. Ragland were involved in a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi. This relentless pursuit, lasting over two hours, resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers."

ADVERTISEMENT

Viewers Catch Glimpses of Their Children

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
harry lilibet
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

After welcoming their first child, Archie, in May of 2019 and making plans to grow their family with a second, the couple had one foot out of the door in terms of leaving the royal family. This meant that their two children were kept out of the spotlight, with few photos making it to the public.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Harry & Meghan docuseries shares never-before-seen photographs and family moments, like this one of Harry bonding with his daughter Lilibet, born in June 2021.

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry and Meghan Aren't Afraid to Be Candid

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
meghan wearing towel
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

While the couple admits that they wish the stay out of the tabloids at all costs, they aren't opposed to sharing raw, candid footage of their daily life.

ADVERTISEMENT

Many of the scenes show the couple in their home environment and openly sharing their emotions about their experiences in the public eye.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Couple's Netflix Contract is Worth $100 Million

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1400805486
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
ADVERTISEMENT

While Harry and Meghan might say that they filmed the docuseries to tell their side of the story, it's also worth mentioning that they're not doing it for free. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a multiyear deal with Netflix worth $100 million.

ADVERTISEMENT

The six-part docuseries is directed by independent filmmaker Liz Garbus and strictly features interviews from those close to Harry and Meghan.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Couple Shares Details of Their Relationship

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
harry meghan photobooth
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

The first three episodes of the documentary give viewers more details about their first date and the beginning of their newsworthy relationship.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fans of the couple also get a peek at personal photographs and memories, including a glance at a photo of the moment that Prince Harry proposed to Meghan.

ADVERTISEMENT

It Shows Harry and Meghan Staying on Vancouver Island After Leaving the Royal Family

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Harry Meghan Netflix 03
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

After announcing they would no longer be serving as senior members of the royal family, the couple moved into a private estate on Vancouver Island, Canada.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meghan tells the camera that her mother Doria is outside playing with Archie on the property alongside the water. Later, she spots paparazzi taking photos from a boat offshore.

ADVERTISEMENT

Photos From Meghan's Single Life

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1391922305
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation
ADVERTISEMENT

After her first marriage ended, Meghan traveled around Europe with her girlfriends while on a summer break from filming the TV series Suits.

ADVERTISEMENT

The docuseries shows photos of Meghan on a boat, drinking wine, and living a carefree lifestyle before meeting her prince charming later that year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Prince Harry Was Late On Their First (Blind) Date

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Harry Meghan Netflix 02
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

Meghan shares that Harry was, in fact, 30 minutes late on their first date in Soho. While he was apologetic over text, claiming that terrible traffic was holding him up, as Meghan sat there, she wondered if the man she was about to have drinks with was egotistical, making her wait.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, when he arrived, she saw how genuinely apologetic he was and could easily forgive him. After Meghan got home that night, she messaged Harry and asked if he would like to have dinner with her the following night. He said 'yes', also noting that it was very forward and American of her to ask him.

ADVERTISEMENT

Harry Says Royal Men May Be Guided To Marry Someone Who "Meets The Mold"

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-960075454 (1)
DANNY LAWSON/AFP via Getty Images
DANNY LAWSON/AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Marrying into the royal family is a huge undertaking, and certainly not for everyone. Harry speaks about how the men in the British royal family may be tempted to marry a woman who could seamlessly fit into the royal lifestyle.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, he says that like his mother, Princess Diana, Harry chose to marry the person who he feels that he is destined to be with, Meghan.

ADVERTISEMENT

Behind-the-Scenes of the Institution

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-917830136
Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

While the public watched the events unfold as Meghan joined the British royal family and began making regular appearances, Harry said, "No one sees what's happening behind closed doors."

ADVERTISEMENT

Their exit from being senior members of the British royal family came as a surprise to many around the world, as internal conflicts and conversations were kept out of the public eye. "I had to do everything I could to protect my family," said Harry.

ADVERTISEMENT

Some Critics Call Them Naïve

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
harry-meghan
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

It's a bold step for any celebrity or public figure to release a docuseries about their life, but especially so for members of the royal family. Critics, including Helen Lewis of The Atlantic, point out that the couple's interviews can come across as naïve.

ADVERTISEMENT

The couple discusses how Meghan was surprised that she was actually expected to curtsy for the Queen. Harry explains there's a "hierarchy" within the monarchy-- both of which may seem obvious to anyone who is slightly familiar with royal family tradition.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meghan Couldn't Invite Her Niece To The Wedding

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
meghan-markle-niece
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

Meghan's half-sister Samantha Markle had a daughter named Ashleigh Hale. After learning about her, Meghan reached out and the two became close friends. Meghan and Ashleigh traveled together often and kept in touch weekly.

ADVERTISEMENT

That was before Meghan joined the royal family. Once she began dating Harry, Ashleigh said that she felt Meghan's relationships were being "managed" by someone else.

ADVERTISEMENT

Video Shows A Protective Princess Diana Telling Off A Paparrazi

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
princess-diana
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

One of the first episodes includes a video showing Princess Diana taking young William and Harry skiing and being hounded by the press. The photographers were relentlessly snapping photos while the family took a break at a picnic table.

ADVERTISEMENT

Princess Diana is seen walking up to a videographer and asking him to respect her children's privacy and stop following them.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meghan's Obsession With Flowers

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
meghan-flowers
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

The docuseries dives deep into the personalities of Harry and Meghan, and Meghan's passion for flowers is quite evident!

ADVERTISEMENT

She's seen cutting roses in the garden on Vancouver Island. Also picking up flowers in Toronto while being followed by paparazzi. Viewers can spot a fresh vase of flowers sitting on desks and tables throughout her homes.

ADVERTISEMENT

At First, Meghan Was A "Royal Rockstar"

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Harry and meghan netflix interview
Netflix
Netflix
ADVERTISEMENT

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quietly began dating in 2016 after being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. Wanting to keep their new relationship out of the public eye, Harry invited Meghan on a trip to Africa. "We had a good five, six months almost with just privacy," Meghan would later tell BBC.

ADVERTISEMENT

In early 2017, Meghan was introduced to royal family members, including the Queen. In November 2017, Harry popped the question, and the couple announced their engagement. Meghan's star power soared as she became internationally recognized.

ADVERTISEMENT

In a Blink of an Eye, "Everything Changed"

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1054546696
Rosa Woods - Pool/Getty Images
Rosa Woods - Pool/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The excitement and buzz of having a new member join the British royal family quickly soured as Meghan felt constantly attacked by the media's negative attention. Not only was she feeling the pressure from the outside but from inside the palace.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meghan didn't enjoy a warm welcome, and the pressure and privacy intrusion that the couple faced became unbearable. In the docuseries, Meghan tells the camera, "everything changed."

ADVERTISEMENT

"There's a Hierarchy of the Family"

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-998373564
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Born third in line, Prince Harry is now fifth in line to the throne, making it highly unlikely that he will become the king one day. It was always known that his older brother Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, would be the ones to lead. In the Netflix docuseries, Prince Harry emphasizes, "There's a hierarchy of the family."

ADVERTISEMENT

The line of succession to the throne dictates the order in which they stand and walk and how much leverage each royal family member has regarding their voice.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Media Turned Against Meghan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1005744554
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
ADVERTISEMENT

Harry has been followed by the press his entire life. In the docuseries, he recalls, "The majority of my memories are of being swamped by paparazzi. Within the family, within the system, the advice that's always given is, 'Don't react. Don't feed into it.'"

ADVERTISEMENT

While Meghan did her best to conceal her feelings in public, the noise of the press was too overbearing as they attacked her character.

ADVERTISEMENT

Critics Point Out That Harry & Meghan Lacks Anything New

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1178551536
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Harry and Meghan famously sat down for an interview with Oprah that aired in March of 2021, in which the couple gave more details and explained their thought process for leaving their roles as senior members of the royal family.

ADVERTISEMENT

For that interview, the couple was paid nothing. Their Netflix docuseries, however, is worth $100 million, yet critics point out that the series doesn't offer anything that viewers haven't already heard.

ADVERTISEMENT

Piers Morgan Gave an Explosive Review of the Series, As Expected

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-961437494
HGL/GC Images
HGL/GC Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Piers Morgan has been fiercely critical of the famous couple since they first started making news in the press and his review of Harry & Meghan in The Sun was no different.

ADVERTISEMENT

He wrote, "The world's biggest victims are, in fact, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, a pair of incredibly rich, stupendously privileged, horribly entitled narcissists....If you don't believe me, just ask them!"