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Last week, when the first instalment of the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan dropped, I wrote that I had some sympathy for Harry, after all that he had been through with his mother.
I gave him the benefit of the doubt because I genuinely felt there were some extenuating circumstances.
This week, having watched the final three episodes, I feel like a fool. More than that, I feel like I’ve been played. Like we’ve all been played — the public, the Press, the Palace.
Because not only is it clear that Harry is very far from a vulnerable individual, scarred by his trauma but fundamentally well-meaning; I’d say that from the footage presented, the pair of them — Harry and Meghan — also planned all this right from the start.
Last week, when the first instalment of the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan dropped, I wrote that I had some sympathy for Harry, after all that he had been through with his mother
I gave him the benefit of the doubt because I genuinely felt there were some extenuating circumstances
First, Harry. Don’t be fooled by the adorable footage of him cuddling the dog or goofing around on holiday. On the basis of his behaviour in the documentary, the real Harry turns out to be rather a nasty piece of work.
Arrogant, bitter, vicious; the kind of person who likes to present himself as carefree and easy-going and everyone’s buddy — but who, when crossed, is capable of acts of great spite.
More from Sarah Vine for the Daily Mail…
That is what this documentary exposes, and it’s horrible to witness. I can only imagine what the King and the Prince of Wales are going through now, or what effect this must be having on their — and others’ — mental health.
Not that H&M care about that, I imagine, since they clearly see everyone who doesn’t see eye to eye with them, or revere them as saviour saints, as bitter enemies.
But it is in some ways useful to know. Because now we finally understand what the Royal Family are up against — and why none of their efforts to placate this pair of petulant narcissists ever came to anything.
The clearest evidence of the lengths to which Harry is prepared to go to wound anyone who crosses him is what he says about the famous Sandringham summit, when he met with his family to try to negotiate a smooth exit from public life.
The stuff about William shouting at him, King Charles lying — and the Queen just ‘quietly sitting there and taking it all in’.
I bet she was, the poor woman. She was probably wondering what on earth had happened to the charming grandson she knew.
As for William — ‘it was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me’ — well, that’s what tends to happen when you drive people almost to the brink of insanity with your nonsense about being ‘bullied’ and sidelined: they get upset.
Accuse them of being racist when they’re not and they’re liable to get even more upset.
Besides, name me a pair of siblings who haven’t at one point or another torn lumps, verbal or otherwise, out of each other? My two do it all the time.
Harry with his wife Meghan during their Netflix special, as she becomes tearful while recounting the online ‘hate’ campaign against her and their relationship
First, Harry. Don’t be fooled by the adorable footage of him cuddling the dog or goofing around on holiday. On the basis of his behaviour in the documentary, the real Harry turns out to be rather a nasty piece of work
But, more to the point, accusing the late Queen — who even after that disastrous and vindictive Oprah Winfrey interview did her best to make Harry and Meghan feel loved — of passively standing by is just beyond the pale
But, more to the point, accusing the late Queen — who even after that disastrous and vindictive Oprah Winfrey interview did her best to make Harry and Meghan feel loved — of passively standing by is just beyond the pale.
Bad enough that Harry and Meghan made her last year of life a misery with their constant sniping. What a despicable thing to do now she is no longer here.
But the thing that really convinced me I was an idiot even to think there was any justification for Harry’s grievances is the sheer amount of footage we have of the pair of them. Right from the get-go there seems to have been a camera present on every occasion.
At first, I didn’t really register it. But when you stop to think about it, it’s just weird. I mean, who films themselves all the time like that? There’s something about it that just feels a little . . . well, premeditated.
Take Harry’s proposal. The man’s on his knees surrounded by candles with a ring in his hand, and what’s the first thing you do? Take a picture, apparently. (‘Sorry, darling, that’s lovely, but would you mind doing it one more time, just for the ’gram?’)
Meghan even found time to phone a friend, a call she somehow also recorded, to say: ‘Oh my God, Jess, it’s happening . . .’
Snogging; on a swing; dancing in the doorway of their cottage; eating some chicken; doing a Zoom; crying while getting in a car on the way to the airport; going for a walk; going for another walk; making a cake; kissing by a pool; sitting in bed.
Watching their Oprah interview together; FaceTiming Meghan’s mum; reading the ‘recollections may vary’ statement from the Queen; talking to their lawyer; chatting with friends — even taking part in a ‘guided meditation’.
There is literally no aspect of their existence that doesn’t seem to have been captured either on film or in photographs.
At one point they even film themselves setting up a camera in order to . . . film themselves in their chicken coop.
It’s bizarre. I mean, Kim Kardashian is more selfie-shy than these two. And she made a sex tape.
Moreover, much of it pre-dates the alleged campaign of hate and misinformation against them. It’s almost as though, right from the start, they had a certain narrative they wanted to shape — and that documenting everything fed into their narcissistic little plan.
Because that’s how Harry and Meghan appear to many of us: the ultimate narcissists in an age of narcissism.
They’re the Duke and Duchess of Influencers — arrogant enough to believe their every spit and cough matter; and shameless enough to do whatever it takes to monetise it.
William quotes late Queen’s love of ‘the spirit of togetherness at Christmas’ at Westminster Abbey carol service… hours after Harry and Meghan drove wedge between themselves and the Firm with bullying and lying claims in explosive Netflix show
By Laurence Dollimore for MailOnline and Sam Greenhill for the Daily Mail
Prince William paid tribute to the late Queen on Thursday night as he quoted her love of ‘the spirit of togetherness at Christmas’ during a special carol concert at Westminster Abbey – just hours after Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series launched an unprecedented attack on the Royal Family, accusing the King of ‘lying’ and the Prince of Wales of ‘screaming’ at his brother.
During the Together At Christmas concert, set to air on ITV on December 24, William poignantly read a passage from the late Queen’s 2012 Christmas message in which Her Majesty said she was ‘always struck by the spirit of togetherness’ during the festive season. It was a time, she added, ‘when we remember that God sent his only son ‘to serve, not to be served’.
There was no suggestion that William intended the striking message to be contrasted with the example of his brother, who turned on his family in Thursday’s Netflix series. Indeed, it was planned long before the notorious documentary.
But it will have resonated with many of the 1,800 guests gathered in the Abbey for the concert, staged to recognise the ‘selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK, and celebrate and showcase the joy that human connection and togetherness can bring’.
Prince George of Wales, William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales depart from the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
Singing from the same hymn sheet: (Front row left to right) King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Princess of Wales and the Countess of Wessex during the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Thursday evening
Kensington Palace said the Together At Christmas carol service, the second concert Kate has hosted, was dedicated to the late Queen and the values she demonstrated throughout her life, including ‘duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others’.
The palace said these principles were ‘shared and personified by the inspirational guests who have been invited to the Abbey in recognition of their tireless work to help and care for those around them’.
A Christmas tree was decorated with small Paddington Bear figures – a nod to the late Queen’s famous jubilee comedy sketch – while guests were greeted with atmospheric snowflakes from a snow machine as they arrived at the entrance.
The event was business as usual for a beaming Kate, who was the first to arrive shortly before 4.20pm. She later re-emerged to walk in her family, placing a supportive hand on Prince George’s back as he entered the service hand-in-hand with his sister Princess Charlotte and father the Prince of Wales – while crowds shouted: ‘Kate and William we love you!’.
King Charles and his wife Camilla swiftly followed, with the monarch seemingly unfazed by the attacks launched at The Firm by the Sussexes earlier that morning – as he smiled and chatted with clergymen before taking his seat inside the chapel.
The King, Queen Consort, Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Princess of Wales and Countess of Wessex were pictured front and centre at the concert, holding candles while singing from the same hymn sheet – a defiant message in the face of Harry and Meghan’s fresh accusations, which had been streamed to billions of potential viewers across the world at 8am on Thursday.
Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, arrived not long after Kate, as did Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, who were with their husbands. Eugenie was seen in the sixth episode of Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series today, visiting the family at their home in Montecito, California.
Also present was Prince Michael of Kent and his wife Princess Michael. The latter hit the headlines last week when Netflix revisited the moment she wore a Blackamoor brooch to a Christmas lunch that was attended by Meghan in 2017.
Prince William and Kate shepherd their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte into Westminster Abbey this evening
Senior members of the Royal Family put on a united front tonight as they arrived at a Westminster Abbey carol service hours after Harry and Meghan fired further ‘truth bombs’ in the explosive finale to their Netflix mini-series. (Pictured: King Charles and Camilla arrive this evening)
The Princess of Wales has arrived at Westminster Abbey for a carol service, just hours after extraordinary claims made by Harry and Meghan in the explosive finale to their Netflix mini-series released today
Mike and Zara Tindall are seen walking into Westminster Abbey together this evening, ahead of the carol concert
Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, was pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey shortly after the Princess of Wales
Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Princess Kate head to their seats inside Westminster Abbey during the Together At Christmas concert on Thursday night
Princess Kate places a loving hand on Prince George’s back while Prince William and Princess Charlotte hold hands as they put on a united front upon arriving to Westminster Abbey
Kate gives a high five to a young boy inside Westminster Abbey during her annual Christmas carol concert
Prince George of Wales and William Prince of Wales depart the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi depart from the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service on Thursday evening
The Countess of Wessex Sophie leaving Princess Kate’s Christmas carol service on Thursday night
Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Princess Beatrice with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, leaving Westminster Abbey on Thursday evening
The Waleses leave Thursday night’s carol concert at Westminster Abbey, which will air on Christmas Eve
Hours earlier, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ramped up their war with the Royal Family and the British media, firing a slew of extraordinary claims back to the UK.
But Kate was radiant as she donned a festive burgundy coat dress from London-based Eponine, paired with £14 drop ruby earrings from high street retailer Accessorize, a matching shimmering clutch and gloves, and burgundy heels.
In perfect coordination, Charlotte, seven, wore a £160 burgundy coast from Trotters Heritage, while William donned a shade of navy paired with a matching men’s dress coat and a tie in burgundy.
Kate greeted clergy at the door of the abbey before going inside where she chatted with guests and enthusiastically high-fived children.
Kate met and thanked those taking part in the service, including Paddington star Hugh Bonneville and singer Melanie C.
She also chatted with Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice before coming back out to welcome her husband and two children, who arrived before 5pm.
It was then that cheers erupted from members of the public alongside shouts of, ‘Kate, we love you’ and ‘Prince William, we love you’.
The Waleses and Royal Family official Twitter accounts later send out a joint tweet in an apparent show of solidarity, declaring the event a ‘joyous evening’.
Laughing and joking with the guests, Kate was also heard telling singer Alfie Boe about her own musical skills, saying she needed more practice singing.
‘On the piano you can slightly hide away a bit more than you can do singing,’ she said.
‘Actually my children probably wouldn’t forgive me – I’m not sure whether they think I’ve got a particularly good singing voice. I’ll have to have some lessons.’
She chatted with boxer Nicola Adams, singers Melanie C and Craig David, and musician Alexis Ffrench.
Kate said she knows how busy this time of year is for everyone as she told them she was ‘hugely grateful’ for their participation.
During the service William read an extract from the late Queen’s 2012 Christmas message.
More than 1,800 people were gathering in the abbey for the concert, staged to recognise the ‘selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK, and celebrate and showcase the joy that human connection and togetherness can bring’.
‘A joyous evening!’: The Waleses and Royal Family official Twitter accounts send out a joint tweet in an apparent show of solidarity
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla were all smiles as they left the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
Prince & Princess Michael of Kent leave the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
The Duke of Gloucester (centre right) arrives for the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
The Duchess of Gloucester arrives for the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Thursday evening
Kensington Palace said the second carol service Kate has held is dedicated to the late Queen and the values she demonstrated throughout her life, including ‘duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others’.
The palace said these principles are ‘shared and personified by the inspirational guests who have been invited to the abbey in recognition of their tireless work to help and care for those around them’.
A Christmas tree in the abbey is decorated with small Paddington Bear decorations, a nod to the late Queen’s famous sketch, while guests were greeted with atmospheric snowflakes from a snow machine as they arrived at the entrance.
The palace tweeted pictures of the decorations and said: ‘Getting ready to welcome our #TogetherAtChristmas guests, celebrating those who have gone above and beyond in their communities and paying tribute to Her Late Majesty The Queen.’
The Waleses’ official Twitter account later shared a photos of Kate arriving and high-fiving a young girl.
The tweet read: ‘Thank you to everyone who has helped make #TogetherAtChristmas so special, it was fantastic to celebrate inspiring individuals and outstanding organisations with you all.’
Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton were also at the concert, as well as Kate’s sister Pippa and her husband James Matthews, and Kate’s brother James and his wife Alizee.
Earlier today it was business as usual for the King who met an ambassador from Kazakhstan at Buckingham Palace this morning and went to a community kitchen in Harrow this afternoon amid claims he will never watch the six-part series.
The Sussexes used their latest Netflix shows to wound Prince William and King Charles and claim that dark forces blocked the Queen from seeing them before Megxit. Harry also said his family were upset and jealous of Meghan’s popularity so pursued a vendetta against her because she was ‘doing the job better’ and ‘stealing the limelight’ from ‘those born to do it’.
But today, despite the slew of incendiary claims in three hours of new interviews and footage, Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace declined to comment on anything in the series.
Harry told of the ‘heartbreaking’ rift with his brother who he claimed had scared him in January 2020 while he ‘screamed and shouted’ at him in front of his father and grandmother when he tried to thrash out a deal to leave the UK.
The Duke of Sussex said: ‘They were happy to lie to protect my brother and yet they were never willing to tell the truth to protect us’.
The Duke of Sussex said William and Charles refused to bless the couple’s request for a ‘half in half out’ Megxit that would allow them to earn a fortune while picking and choosing royal duties and keeping all their titles.
He alleged his older brother, now heir to the throne, scared him in January 2020 while he ‘screamed and shouted’ at him in front of his father and grandmother when he tried to thrash out a deal to leave the UK.
Harry also accused Charles of telling untruths to his face and Her Majesty of saying nothing at the now infamous ‘Sandringham Summit’.
He said: ‘It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me and my father say things that just simply weren’t true. And my grandmother, you know, quietly sit there and take it all in.’
Kate chats to a little boy during her Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in central London on Thursday
Princess Kate’s sister Pippa Matthews with husband James as they lead her parents Carole and Michael Middleton upon arriving at the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London
Princess Beatrice greeting Princess Michael and Prince Michael of Kent as they arrive for the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank arriving for the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London
Princess Kate laughs as she chats with Craig David and other artists at her Christmas carol concert on Thursday evening
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent departs after the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
King Charles III and Dean of Westminster David Hoyle talking after attending for the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Thursday
Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall depart after the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael of Kent attend the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service with their children at Westminster Abbey
Sophie Countess of Wessex donned a pink pea coat and brown boots as she attended Princess Kate’s Christmas Carol service
Princess Charlotte of Wales attend the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey, donning a maroon pea coat and black ballet pumps
Lady Frederick Windsor attends the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey. Spearheaded by Catherine, Princess of Wales, and supported by The Royal Foundation, this year’s carol service is dedicated to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Duke of Sussex claimed: ‘I went in with the same proposal that we’d already made publicly, but once I got there I was given five options – one being all in, no change, five being all out. I chose option three in the meeting – half in, half out. Have our own jobs but also work in support of the Queen. It became very clear very quickly that goal was not up for discussion or debate’.
Harry then claimed the Palace did not seek his permission to put out a joint statement denying claims William ‘bullied’ the Sussexes out of the Royal Family. Viewers said that Harry was implying that William did. He said: ‘I couldn’t believe it. No one had asked me permission to put my name to a statement like that… [Meghan] burst into floods of tears, because within four hours they were happy to lie to protect my brother… and yet they were never willing to tell the truth to protect us.’
He also denied it was Meghan’s decision to walk away and move to LA. ‘In fact, it was my decision. She never asked to leave. I was the one that had to see it for myself. But it’s misogyny at its best,’ he said.
Today’s final three episodes of the docu-series will particularly infuriate and upset William, who was accused of leaving his younger brother ‘terrified’ after allegedly yelling at him in front of the Queen and Charles during final Megxit talks at Sandringham in 2020.
Harry claims Meghan ‘burst into tears’ in Canada when he recounted the row over the phone afterwards before saying that without his permission, his name was added to a joint statement with William ‘squashing’ claims the now Prince of Wales was bullying Harry out of The Firm.
The couple then said they were ‘blocked’ by royal figures from speaking to the Queen alone to discuss emigrating, with Harry claiming he was forced to write to his father to say that he and his wife were willing to relinquish their titles if the couple’s plan to move to Canada as working royals did not work out.
Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive at this evening’s carol concert at Westminster Abbey
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are seen arriving at the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael of Kent attend the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey
Meghan said: ‘I tried so hard and that’s the piece that’s so triggering, because you go, ‘And it still wasn’t good enough… and you still don’t fit in’.’
Harry then suggested that William had chosen the Royal Family’s future over his brother.
Harry said: ‘The saddest part of it was this wedge created between myself and my brother so that he’s now on the institution’s side. Part of that, I get. That’s his inheritance. So to some extent it’s already ingrained in him that part of his responsibility is the survivability and the continuation of this institution.’
One of the Queen’s most loyal aides today said that the monarch would never stand for briefing against other royals while she was alive.
Ailsa Anderson, who served as Communications and Press Secretary to the Queen for more than a decade until 2012, said: ‘In the 13 years that I worked for the royal household, there is not one occasion where I ever briefed against another member of the royal family.’It would be completely counterproductive, it would damage the institution. It would be wrong, and the Queen would not sanction it’.
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