Lack of privacy was not the issue, say Harry and Meghan

THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hit back at criticism of their Netflix documentary, insisting their decision to leave the UK was never about privacy.

The couple handed over 15 hours of video filmed in the early months of 2020, when they decided to step back from public duties and moved abroad.

The footage appeared in the Harry & Meghan Netflix series, alongside images and footage of their children, Archie and Lilibet, at home, photographs from their first dates, the moment the Duke proposed and a voice note that Meghan apparently recorded for a friend.

Commentators questioned why they had signalled that they wanted more privacy when they were prepared to share so much of their personal lives with the world.

Friends have suggested they were seeking a quieter life, while the couple have launched several high-profile legal battles over privacy.

However, their spokesman argued that their decision to leave was never about privacy: “Their statement announcing their decision to step back mentions nothing of privacy and reiterates their desire to continue their roles and public duties,” they told The New York Times.

“Any suggestion otherwise speaks to a key point of this series.

“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.”

Liz Garbus, the director, revealed that filming began in November 2021 and ended in July, months before the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Asked if the Duke and Duchess had control over the final product, she said it was a collaboration. Pressed on whether they had final approval, she added: “It was a collaboration. You can keep asking me, but that’s what I’ll say.”

The series opened with Prince Harry speaking into his mobile phone at Heathrow Airport’s VIP Windsor Suite on March 11, 2020, as he had finished his final two weeks of royal engagements and headed to Vancouver to join Meghan.

“You’re right there with Harry in the Windsor Suite, processing the fact that he’s leaving the Royal family for the first time in his life,” Ms Garbus said.