Newspaper headlines: Harry and Meghan's 'bombshell trailer' and calls to end strikes

Harry and MeghanNetflix

The trailer uses black and white images of the couple's relationship

By BBC News
Staff

The front pages are dominated by what's perceived to be a worsening crisis within the Royal Family. The Daily Mail reports that allies of Prince William and Catherine have called the timing of the Netflix trailer, for Prince Harry and Meghan's upcoming documentary series, "a declaration of war". The paper shows two pictures from the trailer - one, as it puts it, is an "unflattering image" of Kate, the other is Meghan "weeping".

"Royal crisis deepens" is the Daily Mirror's headline. It says the trip by the Prince and Princess of Wales to the United States is being overshadowed by what it describes as the "Palace race storm". The paper says fears are growing that the six-part Netflix series may contain "further damaging allegations of racism".

The Times says royal insiders believe Prince Harry and Meghan have "deliberately torpedoed" the US visit. The paper says the first glimpse of their documentary suggests that the Sussexes "will pull no punches" and likens the couple to the "Kardashians".

"Harry, do you really hate your family so much?" asks the Daily Express. It calls the trailer a "bombshell" and "ill-timed" and says it threatens to widen the chasm between the couple and the Royal Family even further.

The Daily Telegraph shows a picture of Prince Harry and Meghan kissing each other at Frogmore Cottage in 2020 and says their Netflix trailer has stolen the spotlight. However, the paper says the "turmoil" is failing to "ruffle" William and Kate and America is rolling out the red carpet for them.

The Sun calls the series "sabotage" and proclaims that the "Kiss Means War". It goes on say that the "privacy-loving" Sussexes have been accused of hypocrisy after appearing in tears and sharing intimate photos.

"Publicity-shy couple share most intimate secrets with 8 billion people," is the Daily Star's verdict.

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Several front pages highlight the strikes planned in the run-up to Christmas. The Guardian leads with a warning that the NHS "will grind to a halt" on 20 December. It says union chiefs are discussing plans for what it calls a "co-ordinated Christmas strike", in England and Wales, by nurses, ambulance workers and hospital staff.

The i reports that Royal Mail is struggling to cope with what it calls a "parcel mountain". The paper shows a postal depot crammed with trolleys full of post and says cards posted now may not arrive in time for Christmas.

The Times reports that ministers have called on Britain's biggest rail union, the RMT, to be "altruistic" and suspend strike action in the run-up to Christmas and after the New Year. It says ministers fear that the walkouts will cost the economy more than £1.7bn.

The Daily Telegraph says No 10 has rowed back on legislation designed to prevent universities from cancelling controversial speakers. According to the paper, concessions have been made to institutions. The government has insisted to the paper that it remains committed to free speech, and said suggestions that the bill was being watered down were "nonsense".

Finally, England's cricketers are praised by the Times for taking Test cricket to "new heights" after scoring a record-breaking 506 runs on the opening day of their first match against Pakistan. The four batsmen who hit more than 100 runs each are hailed as "Centurions" by the Mirror. England have "tons of fun," declares the Sun.