BBC News Brazil
The final episodes of the documentary “Harry & Meghan” hit Netflix on Thursday (12/15). The second part of the series (episodes four to six) had a much bigger impact than the first. The viewer gains a deeper insight into the backstage of the couple’s life.
After almost six hours in front of the television, these are my conclusions:
1. One-sided, but inspires solidarity
The show reveals the emotional toll the couple feel they have suffered at the hands of the press and the royal family. They talk about Meghan’s struggle with suicidal thoughts. Harry admits he “didn’t handle it well”. Meghan’s mother Doria breaks down in tears as she says it “broke my heart” to hear that her daughter wanted to take her own life.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex share their belief that Meghan’s miscarriage was caused by stress as a result of the Associated Newspapers court case. The two film to record the paparazzi in helicopters, boats and cars around their home in Canada. They discuss how they felt afraid.
Most people watching can’t help but feel sympathetic. Of course, the narrative is one-sided. We are only listening to their perspective.
The show’s creators opt for an emotionally charged soundtrack to ensure people understand their plight. (At one point, we intentionally hear the lyrics to the song “Do What You Gotta Do”, by Roberta Flack, which say: “I loved you better than your own kin did”, which can be translated as “I loved you more than than your own family”).
But while we may be being manipulated, their pain is clear.
2. Many unanswered questions
One of the most prejudiced parts of the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey was the allegation of racism within the royal family.
After six episodes of Harry & Meghan, we still don’t know who supposedly questioned how dark Archie’s skin would be. Meghan doesn’t address the bullying allegations against her other than as an example of how the palace machinery has worked to disparage her.
Nor do we know what Prince William allegedly yelled at his brother at Sandringham, Norfolk’s royal estate, when they met to discuss the couple’s future.
The day after Oprah’s bombshell interview, Netflix cameras are apparently rolling when Harry receives a text from his brother. “I wish I knew what to do,” he says, looking tense.
We would like to know what was written in the message, but we don’t. The series still leaves a lot up in the air.
3. A tragic tale
Anyone who watched the princes as children walking behind their mother’s casket on their way to the funeral will likely be deeply saddened that the two’s relationship is so strained now.
In this second installment of the series, Harry is much more directly critical of his brother. He believes what he calls the “foul play” of negative briefings that would be leaked to members of the press by royal communications teams has extended to Prince William’s office.
He says that having seen how the father’s team gave information to harm their mother, the boys agreed that they would never do that. The implication is that William put his own interests ahead of anything else.
The two’s relationship is broken – and it doesn’t look like the relationship will improve anytime soon.
4. The story is more complicated, but…
This is their “truth”, not the whole truth. There are contradictions. We heard that there was jealousy, that Meghan and Harry were making all the headlines. We are told that “they” have begun to give out information to harm them. Then we also heard that the palace approved an entire documentary of Meghan and Harry made by British television channel ITV, in which she shared her suffering.
But life is not binary.
It is possible to feel that the narrative may not be as simple as they see it, and at the same time feel that their departure is a great loss for the royal family and for Britain as a whole.
Who doesn’t remember the joy that so many felt for the couple’s union? The gospel choir at the Abbey, the vision of Meghan working to create a cookbook with the community of Grenfell (a building in London destroyed by a fire in which 72 people died), the possibilities that having a mixed-race woman at the heart of the royal family offered to Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
What happened may seem like a missed opportunity for the royals to move into a more representative 21st century.
5. Was it always Harry’s destiny?
In Episode 6, Harry says, “Whatever happened to us would always happen to us. If you speak truth to power, this is how they respond.”
But his story began much earlier. Losing his mother, the free fall presumably to ease the pain (making some dubious choices along the way), finding a woman he could project the mother he lost onto—and a whole lot of therapy.
Perhaps Harry’s “journey” was always going to end here, in California, separated from his family, licking wounds that took decades to form. He clearly feels that by defending Meghan, against the tabloids, against the family, he is righting wrongs on behalf of his dead mother.
In his mind, Meghan is Diana’s heir. When the couple discusses how difficult they find it, when they have upstaged more senior royals in glittering capes in the press (before, they say, being thrown to the wolves), he says, “My mother felt the same way.”
Regardless of whether he was right or not, Meghan filled the void her mother left. And he’s clearly still dealing with the pain and anger that Diana’s death caused.
6. A love letter to California
We’re introduced to the so-called “Golden State” in all its glory—beaches, palm trees, skylines (and a little yoga and meditation along the way).
It’s impossible not to contrast with the more formal life we ​​see portrayed in the UK, as well as the series’ common thread that racism was a major factor in what they went through. This show is geared towards the US, where the couple is most popular.
California — and their lives — are revealed in cinematic color. (And let’s not forget that, whatever the personal cost, their lives are pretty good — a big house, a fat Netflix check, two adorable kids, famous friends.)
They are sending a clear message back to Britain about the warm welcome they have received in the US. The UK looks grayer and less free in contrast.
7. What will the next chapter be?
At one point, Harry says — in a sign that he has put all his faith in therapy as an answer — that “for change to happen, a lot of pain has to happen and come to the surface. In order for us to move on to the next chapter, you have to finish the first chapter”.
Perhaps it is a recognition that, after their memoir is released, the couple’s history with the royal family will come to an end. The book is called “Spare” (🇧🇷What’s left” in Brazil🇧🇷a title that was seen as a provocation to aristocratic protocols, the heir and the (despised) spare or reserve (possible translations for the word “spare”).
But watching the series I wonder if Harry is the lucky one. As a spare, he can leave, break the bond. As a spare, he can sell his story to Netflix. He can choose to embark on the “flight of freedom” he describes.
It’s ridiculous to say that we should feel sorry for William and Kate. In many ways, they have a golden life that the rest of us could only dream of. But are they too trapped in a history they can’t change? We are unlikely to get to hear their “truth”, their side.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan, if they have any common sense, will put this behind them and move on to the next chapter of their lives.
I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
