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Harry and Meghan news – live: Duke of Sussex promises ‘full truth’ in documentary set to release today

Ahead of the release of their highly anticipated Netflix docuseries, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joked about enjoying a “date night” while accepting an award at the Robert F Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award gala.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who travelled to New York City via private jet from their home in California on Monday, were honoured at the Manhattan gala on Tuesday evening alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and late NBA star Bill Russell for their work “to protect and advance equity, justice, and human rights”.

For the occasion, Meghan echoed Princess Kate’s Boston look with a custom white off-the-shoulder dress by Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton, with Prince Harry joking on stage that he thought the couple were “just going on a date night”.

The royal couple’s trip came just days before the first instalment of their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan will be released, with the first three episodes to be released on Thursday 8 December. Three additional episodes will be released a week later, on Thursday 15 December.

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Follow along with the latest updates about the duke and duchess ahead of the release of Harry & Meghan.

Key Points

  • Prince Harry and Meghan make first red carpet appearance following release of Netflix documentary trailer

  • Princess of Wales shines in tiara at Buckingham Palace event

  • Award given to couple for “moral courage” they have displayed against injustice.

  • Meghan wears off shoulder dress by Louis Vuitton

  • Alec Baldwin praises Harry and Meghan for handling press attention

  • Harry and Meghan accept Ripple of Hope Award for racial justice work

06:00 , Peony Hirwani

In the new documentary trailer, Harry admits he was “terrified” for his wife, before comparing her experience to that of his mother Princess Diana’s.

“The pain and suffering of women marrying into this institution, this feeding frenzy,” he says in the trailer. “I was terrified. I didn’t want history to repeat itself.”

All of Meghan Markle’s TV and film roles

05:30 , Peony Hirwani

Meghan Markle’s TV and film roles

05:04 , Peony Hirwani

From estranged half-siblings to her two children with Prince Harry, here’s everything you need to know about Meghan Markle’s family.

Everything you need to know about Meghan Markle’s family

04:30 , Chelsea Ritschel

Although it is not yet known what the royal couple will say in the docuseries, the trailer saw Prince Harry suggest stories were “planted” against Meghan during their time as senior royals.

“There’s a hierarchy of the family,” he says in the trailer, which was released on 5 December. “You know, there’s leaking, but there’s also planting of stories.”

Prince Harry promises ‘the full truth’ in dramatic Netflix trailer

04:02 , Peony Hirwani

The Independent’s Victoria Richards shares her opinion on how Harry and Meghan will always be conceived as wrong in the public eye.

Opinion: Harry and Meghan will always be wrong, no matter what they do

03:30 , Chelsea Ritschel

The docuseries will air in two “volumes,” with the first three episodes to be released on 8 December. Netflix will then release the remaining three episodes a week later, on 15 December.

02:00 , Chelsea Ritschel

The couple is said to have softened its portrayal of the royal family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, with reports suggesting Harry and Meghan wanted to specifically edit portrayals of King Charles II, the Queen Consort, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Sussexes to edit their Netflix show to make it ‘kinder to royal family’

00:30 , Chelsea Ritschel

The docuseries is said to have begun filming in September 2021, with the couple seen with a videographer and photographer during their last trip to New York City.

The couple’s latest trip to New York took place this week, when the duke and duchess arrived via private plane on Monday.

Wednesday 7 December 2022 23:30 , Chelsea Ritschel

As for what we can expect from the couple’s docuseries, Netflix says the “unprecedented and in-depth” project shows the “other side” of the duke and duchess’s “high-profile love story”.

“Across six episodes, the series explores the clandestine days of their early courtship and the challenges that led to them feeling forced to step back from their full-time roles in the institution,” the description reads. “With commentary from friends and family, most of whom have never spoken publicly before about what they witnessed, and historians who discuss the state of the British Commonwealth today and the royal family’s relationship with the press, the series does more than illuminate one couple’s love story, it paints a picture of our world and how we treat each other.”

When is the Meghan Markle and Harry Netflix documentary?

Wednesday 7 December 2022 22:30 , Chelsea Ritschel

For the occasion, Meghan wore a white gown by Louis Vuitton. She accessorised the outfit with Princess Diana’s aquamarine ring, an accessory she previously wore as her “something blue” during her and Prince Harry’s royal wedding.

Fans delight as Meghan stuns in custom Louis Vuitton and Diana’s ‘freedom ring’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 21:30 , Chelsea Ritschel

The release of the Sussexes docuseries tomorrow comes after the couple accepted the prestigious Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Foundation on Tuesday evening.

During their acceptance speech, Meghan and Harry noted that, as they continue to follow in Kennedy’s footsteps, they “choose the path of optimism of care for each other and our communities”.

Wednesday 7 December 2022 21:00 , Chelsea Ritschel

Piers Morgan has also been a constant critic of the couple in the lead up to the docuseries’ release, with the TV presenter describing the pair as “whining millennial windbags with a victim complex”.

You can find all the reactions from royal reporters to the docuseries, despite it not yet being released, below.

British royal reporters condemn Meghan and Harry docuseries before it’s aired

Wednesday 7 December 2022 20:30 , Chelsea Ritschel

Royal reporters have also criticised the use of photos from the couple’s visit with Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town, as many have claimed the photographs were taken by an “accredited pool”.

“This photograph used by @Netflix and Harry and Meghan to suggest intrusion by the press is a complete travesty,” Robert Jobson, the royal editor for the Evening Standard, tweeted, before noting that he was “there”.

Wednesday 7 December 2022 20:00 , Chelsea Ritschel

“We all know Harry and Meghan are flexible when it comes to the truth but even by their standards using footage of media waiting for Katie Price outside Crawley Magistrates Court and implying it was related to them is absolutely wild,” Jack Hardwick, a reporter for The Sun, tweeted.

Wednesday 7 December 2022 19:36 , Chelsea Ritschel

The lack of advance screenings has not stopped royal reporters from criticising the couple ahead of the docuseries release.

A significant amount of the criticism has focused on what many have deemed a “misleading” trailer from the couple, after it was reported that footage shown was actually filmed under different circumstances.

One example is a picture of a group of photographers, which was reportedly taken during the 2011 Harry Potter premiere.

Paparazzi photo used in Harry and Meghan trailer ‘taken at Harry Potter premiere’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 18:16 , Chelsea Ritschel

Interestingly, Netflix did not provide advance screenings of the docuseries to any news outlet, according to BuzzFeed reporter Ellie Hall.

“A Netflix spokesperson just confirmed to me that the company is NOT providing advanced screeners of Harry and Meghan’s docuseries to ANY news outlet,” Hall tweeted. “Most of the time (although there are exceptions) reporters and critics will get early access to shows in order to prepare coverage that will be published as soon as the review embargo drops or the show premieres.”

Wednesday 7 December 2022 17:27 , Chelsea Ritschel

The first three episodes of the couple’s Netflix series will air tomorrow, more than two years after the Sussexes signed a deal with the streaming platform.

You can find everything you need to know about the series below.

When is the Meghan Markle and Harry Netflix documentary?

Wednesday 7 December 2022 16:55 , Chelsea Ritschel

The trailer for the duke and duchess’ Netflix series has been described as “misleading” after certain clips and photos were identified as being from events that did not pertain to Meghan and Harry.

One such example is the inclusion of footage of members of the press awaiting TV star Katie Price arriving outside Crawley Magistrates Court, where the former model was handed a 16-month suspended sentence for driving under the influence.

Trailer for Harry and Meghan Netflix series appears to use Katie Price court footage

Piers Morgan claims he’s being ‘exploited’ by Harry and Meghan documentary

Wednesday 7 December 2022 16:00 , Kate Ng

Piers Morgan has claimed that he is being “exploited” by the forthcoming Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan. Morgan’s voice can be heard in the first trailer for Harry & Meghan, which dropped on Monday (5 December).

In it, he can be heard saying that Markle is “becoming a royal rock star”.

Louis Chilton reports on what Morgan had to say:

Piers Morgan claims he’s being ‘exploited’ by Harry and Meghan documentary

Wednesday 7 December 2022 15:54 , Chelsea Ritschel

While speaking on stage on Tuesday night during the Ripple of Hope awards, Prince Harry jokingly revealed that he’d assumed he and Meghan were just going on a “date night”.

“I actually thought we were just going on a date night, so I find it quite weird that we’re sharing the room with 1,500 people,” the Duke of Sussex said to laughter from the crowd.

Harry jokes he thought awards ceremony was supposed to be a ‘date night’ with Meghan

OP-ED: No matter what they do, Harry and Meghan will always be ‘wrong’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 15:30 , Kate Ng

Victoria Richards writes that “the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle furore is reaching peak circus”.

In her op-ed, The Independent’s Voices Editor says: “It isn’t Harry and Meghan’s fault. They’re damned if they do... well, anything; and damned if they don’t. It is a game they cannot win.”

Read her thoughts here:

Opinion: No matter what they do, Harry and Meghan will always be wrong

Who is in line for the British throne?

Wednesday 7 December 2022 15:00 , Kate Ng

Ahead of the Sussexes’ explosive documentary, Furvah Shah has everything you need to know about the line of succession to the throne:

Who is in line for the British throne?

Royal family to unite at carol concert on day of Harry & Meghan series finale

Wednesday 7 December 2022 14:15 , Kate Ng

Senior members of the royal family will come together for the Princess of Wales’s carol concert on the day that Netflix airs the final episode of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s forthcoming docuseries, Harry & Meghan.

Read our report below:

Royal family to unite at carol concert on day of Harry & Meghan series finale

Who is Liz Garbus, director behind Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary?

Wednesday 7 December 2022 13:56 , Kate Ng

Liz Garbus, the Oscar-nominated director behind the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Netflix docuseries, is known for her critically acclaimed exposes and documenting the stories of "survivors".

Raised in New York by a civil rights lawyer father, her career has spanned almost 25 years, covering documentaries, true crime and high-end drama.

Her notable titles include The Farm: Angola, USA; Bobby Fischer Against The World; Love; Marilyn; and The Fourth Estate.

Garbus is also co-founder and co-director of New York City-based documentary film production company, Story Syndicate.

Her films have been nominated for multiple awards, including the 2002 Sundance Film Festival documentary Grand Jury Prize, a Directors Guild Of America award and several Emmys.

She was also twice nominated for the Academy Award for best documentary feature - first in 1999 for Farm: Angola, USA, and more recently in 2016 for What Happened, Miss Simone?, about the troubled life of jazz singer Nina Simone.

Garbus also directed the series four finale of dystopian drama The Handmaid's Tale, in which June, played by Elisabeth Moss, orchestrated the murder of her former abuser, Commander Fred Waterford.

Princess Kate wears tiara and scarlet gown ahead of Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary

Wednesday 7 December 2022 13:00 , Kate Ng

The Princess of Wales donned a sequinned red evening gown and the Lotus Flower Tiara as the royal family welcomed diplomats to Buckingham Palace while the wait for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix docuseries intensified.

Kate joined the Prince of Wales, the King and the Queen Consort for the first Diplomatic Corps reception in three years as they greeted hundreds of guests at the glittering affair in London on Tuesday evening (6 December).

Read the full report here:

Kate sparkles in scarlet gown and tiara amid wait for Sussexes’ Netflix show

Harry and Meghan talk about bringing down ‘walls of oppression’ at Ripple of Hope Awards

Wednesday 7 December 2022 12:35 , Kate Ng

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave a speech at the Ripple of Hope Awards, in which they praised the late Robert F Kennedy.

Prince Harry told the audience as the couple accepted the award: “As we all face a complete and challenging time in the world, we choose the path of optimism of care for each other and our communities.

“We understand this honour, not about the culmination of a life’s work, but instead and in many ways for us, a beginning.”

He added: “Bobby Kennedy said, ‘Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope’.”

Meghan continued: “The enduring dream of Robert F Kennedy of a just and peaceful world is so much more than a simple hope. It’s a direct ask, a specific challenge, a call to action, a test of individual courage and collective spirit.

“And his appeal to humanity is as relevant today as it was in 1966 when he stood before the University of Cape Town, a place we’ve visited and hold close to our hearts. And he delivered a vision for the common good of society.

“He also said those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

When is the Meghan Markle and Harry documentary?

Wednesday 7 December 2022 12:30 , Kate Ng

Here’s everything you need to know about when Harry & Meghan comes out on Netflix:

When is the Meghan Markle and Harry Netflix documentary?

Wednesday 7 December 2022 12:00 , Chelsea Ritschel

According to Netflix, the “unprecedented and indepth” docuseries will show the “other side” of the couple’s “high-profile love story”.

“Across six episodes, the series explores the clandestine days of their early courtship and the challenges that led to them feeling forced to step back from their full-time roles in the institution,” the description reads. “With commentary from friends and family, most of whom have never spoken publicly before about what they witnessed, and historians who discuss the state of the British Commonwealth today and the royal family’s relationship with the press, the series does more than illuminate one couple’s love story, it paints a picture of our world and how we treat each other.”

Meghan Markle’s TV and film roles, from Deal or No Deal to Suits

Wednesday 7 December 2022 11:30 , Kate Ng

Curious about the Duchess of Sussex’s acting career? Here’s a rundown of Markle’s career in TV and film.

Meghan Markle’s TV and film roles

Succession star Brian Cox says Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have experienced something ‘clearly traumatic’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 11:00 , Kate Ng

Succession star Brian Cox has given his thoughts on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s allegations of racism against the royal family.

Cox was interviewed by Good Morning Britain last night (6 December) at the Ripple of Hope gala, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had received an anti-racism award.

Ellie Harrison reports:

Succession’s Brian Cox says Harry and Meghan have had ‘clearly traumatic’ experience

Wednesday 7 December 2022 10:31 , Chelsea Ritschel

The first three episodes of Meghan and Harry’s highly anticipated Netflix docuseries are set to air on 8 December, with the next three-episode instalment to be released on 15 December.

When is the Meghan Markle and Harry Netflix documentary?

Alec Baldwin jokes about becoming Harry and Meghan’s ‘driver’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 10:00 , Kate Ng

Alec Baldwin has joked about rethinking his career path and becoming a “driver” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex instead.

On a more serious note, the actor said he admired Prince Harry and Meghan for their ability to “handle difficult circumstances in the press”.

Read the full report here:

Alec Baldwin praises Harry and Meghan and jokes about becoming their ‘driver’

Wednesday 7 December 2022 09:31 , Chelsea Ritschel

For their trip to New York City, the duke and duchess dressed casually, with Meghan opting for a black long-sleeve shirt and dark sunglasses, while Harry chose a white button down, black pants, and a blazer, which he held in his hand.

Wednesday 7 December 2022 09:00 , Chelsea Ritschel

As of now, it is not currently clear whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be in New York City for the debut of their Netflix documentary, or whether they will have returned home to California by the time the first three episodes are released on 8 December.

The couple arrived in New York City on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award gala.

Meghan and Prince Harry dodge press questions about Netflix documentary at NY awards ceremony

Wednesday 7 December 2022 08:40 , Peony Hirwani

Meghan and Prince Harry reportedly dodged questions about their new Netflix documentary at the 2022 Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award gala in New York City on Tuesday (6 December) night.

Read more:

Meghan and Harry dodge press questions about Netflix documentary in New York

Wednesday 7 December 2022 08:30 , Kate Ng

As for the types of projects the couple will not pursue through their Archewell production company and deals with Netflix and Spotify, the Duchess of Sussex jokingly revealed they have no intention to create a “horror film”.

“I don’t think you’ll ever see us doing a horror film,” she said.