Since the Netflix documentary on Harry and Meghan was released yesterday, a common criticism has been to ask why they are letting cameras into their lives this much after quitting as royals.
The series shows intimate snapshots of the couple’s life, from their first messages to their life in California, with one clip showing Meghan speaking while still having a towel wrapped around her hair.
But the couple’s spokesperson said today that there was no contradiction between this and their stated desire to find ‘space’ away from their formal roles as part of the royal family.
Their global press secretary Ashley Hansen told the New York Times: ‘Their statement announcing their decision to step back mentions nothing of privacy and reiterates their desire to continue their roles and public duties.
‘Any suggestion otherwise speaks to a key point of this series.
The couple's statement stepping back as senior royals
In January 2020, the couple announced their decision to leave their roles as senior working royals.
They said at the time: ‘After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
‘We intend to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.
‘It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.
‘We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
‘This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.
‘We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties.
‘Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.’
‘They are choosing to share their story, on their terms, and yet the tabloid media has created an entirely untrue narrative that permeates press coverage and public opinion. The facts are right in front of them.’
Speaking at a function for Sentebale, the charity he founded, soon after news of their decision broke in 2020, Prince Harry explained further that they were ‘not walking away’ from their duties but hoped to find a more ‘peaceful life’.
He said: ‘Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding.
‘Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am.
‘But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life.’
During the documentary, the couple speak of their frustration at seeing their story told in the press, with one section seeing them question the credentials of so-called ‘royal experts’.
Prince Harry said he wanted to make the documentary because ‘with all of the misinformation that was going on out there, especially about us and the departure, it seemed like a really sensible idea.’
In another clip, part of the trailer for the programme, Meghan agrees, saying ‘The past six years of my life, books are written about our story from people who I don’t know.
‘Doesn’t it make more sense to hear our story from us?’
The first half of the six-part documentary is currently available on Netflix, with the final three episodes to be released on Thursday.
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