Harry & Meghan:The show!

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

Most talked about TV show in recent times, in the UK, undoubtedly is Harry & Meghan, the Netflix show of six episodes, each lasting one hour, released in two batches a week apart. Though it was promoted as a documentary, I have referred to them as a show deliberately because they were far from being documentaries. The dictionary definition of a documentary is “a film or television or radio programme that provides a factual report on a particular subject” and these six episodes fell far below that definition on many counts. It was Harry’s and Meghan’s interpretation of events, a personal story, done for profit and publicity without any independent verification. Surprisingly, some of their recollections seem to have changed over time; something that does not happen with facts! Further, it capitalised on the predictable behaviour of one party against whom accusations were made; the Royal Household which follows a policy of non-response. Therefore, mud can be slung with no fear of reprisals. In fact, one TV commentator blurted, “Harry and Meghan have made their lives’ purpose, making a living out of royal bashing”!

Perhaps, that commentator is right on the button as it is claimed that Netflix paid the Sussexes 100 million dollars. Not bad for a few chats! Netflix has not done badly either; it has said that the first three episodes of Harry & Meghan had the highest view hours of any documentary title in a premiere week, having recorded 81.55m viewing hours around the world after its debut on 8 December. It is claimed that more than 28m households watched at least part of the series. Congratulations Netflix, money well spent!

Perhaps, fewer people may have watched the second tranche as the first three episodes did not live up to expectation; they did not contain any major revelations. There was really nothing new in the second tranche either except their chats with some unbelievable stories. Meghan stated that on their ’freedom flight’ to Canada, a member of the cabin crew came up to her, removed his cap and knelt beside her to thank her for all she had done for the UK! I have travelled on many airlines and am yet to meet capped cabin crew!!

What is of great concern is that at least some, with non-questioning minds, may accept their version of events as the truth. More so, because there is no mechanism available at present to challenge the accuracy of programmes broadcast via streaming services like Netflix, in sharp contrast to traditional media which would be held accountable for the accuracy of broadcasts. The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the UK’s broadcasting, telecommunications and postal regulatory body, and its functions include: ensuring people are able to use communications services, including broadband; a range of companies provide quality television and radio programmes that appeal to diverse audiences; viewers and listeners are protected from harmful or offensive material on TV, radio and on-demand.

Under the broadcasting rules outlined in the Ofcom code, “Factual programmes or items or portrayals of factual matters must not materially mislead the audience”. In fact, on the day the ‘documentary’ was released, Ofcom was forced to release a statement reminding the public that while it was “sometimes contacted by people who have seen something they found harmful or offensive on a streaming service like Netflix” it was powerless to take any action. Following the release of these shows, the British government has decided to advance the presentation to parliament of a New Media bill to exercise control over streaming services. Though Netflix has stated that is supportive of this action it has opted to be silent about many queries raised by a number of journalists about numerous discrepancies in Harry & Meghan programmes!

Some glaring misrepresentations include the following:

Photograph claiming to show that they were hounded by the press was actually from a Harry Potter film premiere, taken five years before they even met!

Another photograph with the claim that they were hounded by paparazzi in 2018, was that of the press chasing after Katie Price, a glamour model, who was outside courts after being sentenced for drink driving!

They claimed that their privacy was breached by photographers aiming at them from heights and the photograph which accompanied that statement was from an ITV photographer, invited by the couple when they went to South Africa to present their son to Archbishop Tutu. In fact, Independent Television issued a statement confirming that it was their photograph taken at the invitation of the Sussexes!

Harry claimed that the British government refused to provide them security but one the senior officers handling royal security, now retired, made clear in a TV programme that the Sussexes were provided full security whilst residing in Canada but when they suddenly decided to move to California, it was deemed no longer feasible.

If any British broadcaster was responsible for lapses of this nature, Ofcom would have at least reprimanded but Netflix and the Sussexes go Scot-Free! However, most who are objective have begun doubting the value of these programmes. In fact, one commentator remarked, “I am wondering how to regain the six hours of my life I lost!”

As stated at the time of their departure, Harry’s main reason for leaving UK was to safeguard the privacy of his family from press intrusion etc. But what he really wanted was to be able to mint dollars in USA whilst enjoying all the privilege of a working royal; which he wanted to do part-time. Queen Elizabeth was firm on this as it would have been unfair to other royals working full time. Harry took his revenge on her too, by getting one of his cronies to call the Commonwealth, which the Queen loved and nurtured, ‘the second British Empire’ and that it is racist! This was in one of the early episodes and in the second tranche he used the then Princess Elizabeth’s 21st birthday speech, broadcast from South Africa, edited in an attempt to emphasise a quote about her love for the British Empire. He also had the audacity to insult her memory, for personal gain, just three months to the date of her death. Though he demonstrated total lack of gratitude, let Harry be reminded that millions mourned her death and thousands stood in queue, for hours, just to show their respect by bowing at her closed coffin. He treasures his privacy but tears into the privacy of the family he was born to, perhaps, at the behest of an unbalanced woman. Harry certainly is a hypocrite but is he a traitor too, as claimed in some quarters?