WIDENING THE RIFT

AS HARRY AND MEGHAN OPEN UP IN THEIR NETFLIX SHOW, EX-ROYAL CORRESPONDENT JENNIE BOND ASKS WHAT THEY HOPE TO ACHIEVE

- KIRSTY HATCHER

The hype had been growing for months. The trailers for the Netflix series Harry & Meghan promised high drama and blistering fireworks: a tale of hatred and race. So when the first three episodes were released on Thursday, I was poised for a barrage of bombshells about a family I’ve been reporting on for more than 30 years. In fact, it all turned out to be rather tame with hardly any new revelations, a few vague and glancing blows at the other royals, a visceral hatred of the press and a rather charming love story.

The question posed in the trailer, “Why are you doing this documentary?” remained unanswered. Although we should perhaps remember that a reported $100 million contract with Netflix speaks rather loudly to anyone. Their motive certainly wasn’t to improve relations with their families.

Meghan’s lack of self-awareness when she declares – with supreme irony – that she never wanted to embarrass the royal family is astounding. Perhaps the only blessing is that their assault on the monarchy is prompting enhanced media coverage of the work being done by King Charles lll, Queen Consort Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Last week Catherine stepped out in her full regalia for the Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace, looking a million dollars (as opposed to demanding a million) and utterly at ease in her role as a senior member of the “firm”. She will no doubt rise above Meghan’s implied criticism that she is a bit of a cold fish because she didn’t go in for a hug when they were introduced. She is in fact a really warm person but, given her position, she is understandably cautious when she meets someone for the first time.