Steven McIntosh
Entertainment Reporter

Harry is rapidly warming to his theme of press intrusion.

He recalls: "Rarely did we have a holiday without someone with a camera jumping out of a bush or something.

"Within the family, the system, the advice that's always given is 'don't react, don't feed into it'."

"There was always pressure, with its fair share of drama, stress, and also tears, and witnessing those tears. I could always see it on my mum's face. I thought, 'Who am I? What am I a part of?'"

Attention then turns to the Queen, with footage of her coronation in 1953. Royal commentators and friends of the couple then reflect on her seven decades on the throne, and the role she played.

But James Holt, executive director of the couple's Archewell Foundation, opines: "We're in a different generation now. As new generations come through, people may start to question it [the monarchy]."

(Bear in mind, Holt is on Harry and Meghan's payroll.)

In episode two, Harry explains that members of the Royal Family asked why Meghan should be "protected" when they questioned newspaper headlines about her.

"The direction from the Palace was don't say anything.

"But what people need to understand is, as far as a lot of the family were concerned, everything that she was being put through, they had been put through as well.

"So it was almost like a rite of passage, and some of the members of the family were like, 'my wife had to go through that, so why should your girlfriend be treated any differently? Why should you get special treatment? Why should she be protected?'"

Harry adds: "I said 'the difference here is the race element'."

Image source, Harry & Meghan/Archewell Productions/Diamond Docs/Story Syndicate/Netflix

Early in episode one, we get an intimate look into the Sussexes family life from their home in California.

A vivid sunset appears on screen and we hear Meghan ask their eldest child, Archie, how he would describe it.

"Well, it's all done beautiful," the toddler, now three, responds. The audio is one of the rare times we've heard him speak in public and is accompanied with a clip of him running outside his Montecito home.

About eight minutes into episode two, Meghan talks about the impact of press interest in her when she started dating Prince Harry.

"My neighbours text[ed] me saying they're knocking on everyone's doors, they're trying to find you," she says.

Over shots of small cameras attached to a house, she adds: "They had paid certain neighbours to put like a live-stream camera into my back yard.

"Suddenly it was like everything about my life was just getting so much more insular. Like all the curtains were pulled, all the blinds were pulled - it was scary.

"My face was everywhere, my life was everywhere, tabloids had taken over everything."

Steven McIntosh
Entertainment Reporter

There's a whole heap of other recollections about the couple's early days in episode one, which we'll skip here because this clearly isn't going to be the most interesting part of the series.

But as the episode progresses, Harry begins referring to his mother, the late Princess Diana.

"I think for so many people in the family, especially the men, there can be a temptation to marry someone who would fit the mould, as opposed to someone who perhaps you are destined to be with," says Harry.

"My mum certainly made most of her decisions, if not all of them, from her heart, and I am my mother's son."

The episode makes generous use of archive footage - including Princess Diana leaving the hospital in 1984 with Prince Charles, as he was then, with newborn son Harry in her arms.

Many more archive clips follow. "I'll always remember her cheeky laugh," says Harry.

But, in a signal of what is no doubt to come, he adds: "The majority of my memories are of being swarmed by paparazzi."

Image source, Harry & Meghan/Archewell Productions/Diamond Docs/Story Syndicate/Netflix

We're watching three episodes at the same time, and there's a lot to get into. Stick with us.

Speaking in episode three about her integration into the Royal Family, Meghan reveals how she learned the words to the National Anthem.

"I Googled it," she says, admitting she "practised and practised and practised".

Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent

This is as much a psycho drama as a documentary and for those trying to decode the family dynamics Prince Harry has some thoughts about the relationships of men in the Royal Family.

"I am my mother's son," he says, rather emphatically, saying that Princess Diana followed her heart.

But for the men in the Royal Family, he says: "There can be a temptation or an urge to marry someone who fits the mould, as opposed to somebody who you perhaps are destined to be with."

Who could he be talking about?

Image source, Harry & Meghan/Archewell Productions/Diamond Docs/Story Syndicate/Netflix

More from episode one...

"This is a great love story," says Harry, as we see him pushing Lilibet in a pram with Archie toddling alongside, on a sunny family walk with Meghan.

"And the craziest thing is I think this love story is only just getting started."

He adds: "She sacrificed everything she ever knew, the freedom that she had, to join me in my world.

"And then pretty soon after that, I ended up sacrificing everything that I know to join her in her world."

We then see the couple holding hands in their car, we see footage of Meghan feeding their chickens in the coop at their home, while wearing a baby sling with Lilibet.

Steven McIntosh
Entertainment Reporter

Once episode one is in full swing, a gaggle of Meghan's friends begin reminiscing about the couple's first date.

If you're interested, Meghan says it took place at "76 Dean Street" - which is another way of saying the private members' club Soho House - and Harry was late.

"We had a great chat for about an hour," Harry says. Meghan left because she had other plans. But she suggested grabbing dinner the following night. They went back to the same place. Harry says it was Meghan who was late this time. It continues in this level of detail.

They both talk a bit about how well they got on and how relaxed they were in each other's company. "We were child-like together," Meghan says.

Meghan says Harry had a list of things he was looking for in a girlfriend. Harry refuses to share the list with viewers.

Steven McIntosh
Entertainment Reporter

Image source, Harry & Meghan/Archewell Productions/Diamond Docs/Story Syndicate/Netflix

The first question posed to Harry and Meghan off-camera is why they wanted to make this documentary.

"I'm not going to say that it's comfortable," replies Meghan, "but when you feel like people haven't gotten any sense of who you are, for so long, it's really nice to be able to have the opportunity to have a glimpse into what's happened, and also who we are."

Harry says much the same, adding the series seemed like a "sensible idea" due to the "misinformation" about the couple in the public domain.

But once this question has been dealt with, it becomes clear that the first episode is going to focus on the couple's early days, as they and their friends look back on the summer of 2016.

"I was really intent on being single, and just having fun girl time," Meghan claims. "I had a career, I had my life, I had my path, and then came H," she adds, actually saying her now-husband's name as a letter.

"Meghan and I met over Instagram," Harry picks up. "I was scrolling through my feed, and someone who was my friend, had this video of the two of them... I was like, who is that?" A mutual friend then linked them up.

Meghan reiterates her previous claim that she didn't Google him, but admits to scrolling through his social media feeds to get a better sense of who Harry was.

Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent

“My job is to keep my family safe,” begins Prince Harry, setting the emotional tone at the start of the Harry and Meghan series.

He warns of the “hate stirred up against my wife and my son” and Meghan is seen looking tearful.

This is going to be their view of the pressures that ended in their stepping down from royal duties and leaving for the US.

And on that word of “duty”, this series is framed with this claim from Prince Harry: “It is my duty to uncover the exploitation and bribery that happens within our media.”

Steven McIntosh
Entertainment Reporter

The first episode of Harry & Meghan opens with the disclaimer: "All interviews were completed by August 2022."

This is likely an attempt to signal to the viewer that the series was filmed before Queen Elizabeth II died in September. (The couple had been criticised for releasing their tell-all docuseries relatively soon after her death.)

The following frame reads: "Members of the Royal Family declined to comment on the content of this series."

Then, in an opening montage, viewers are shown newspaper and magazine headlines from early 2020 about Meghan and Harry's decision to step down from royal duties.

"I am genuinely concerned for the safety of my family," says Harry as the episode gets under way.

"I just want to get to the other side of all of this," adds Meghan, before appearing to become emotional.

Harry concludes: "This is about duty and service, and I feel as though being part of this family, it is my duty to uncover this exploitation and bribery that happens within our media."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex says their docuseries gives them a chance to tell their story and pair will outline their treatment by the press and the Royal Family.

Reality TV star Gemma Collins says they've lost any chance of privacy now they've made the documentary, telling the BBC "there's no going back" now "the can of worms" is opened.

Sean Coughlan
Royal Correspondent

There will be apprehension in the Royal Family about this series.

How far will it go? How toxic are the claims that are going to be made? And how should the palace respond? Should they offer a lofty silence and say nothing? Or should they challenge anything that seems unfair or unproven?

Of course this depends on what revelations are made.

There might be more of the love story, more of the Californian therapy-speak of self-discovery, rather than a hard-hitting account of royal life.

Image source, Netflix

But if it's a six-hour version of the Oprah interview, with a stockpile of grievances, it could be difficult viewing for the rest of the Royal Family.

With such inflammatory topics as race and prejudice, the palace will want to question what evidence there is for any allegations, particularly if there are specific claims about individuals.

They'll want to remind the audience that this is one version of events, and recollections may vary.

There will also be attention to how a global audience responds. The big audience is in the US and pleasing them might not be the same as winning over viewers in the UK.

There also seems to be a generational divide in attitudes towards Meghan and Prince Harry.

Will they be seen as a young couple trying to be authentic and make a difference? Or will they be seen as self-indulgent moaners?

The first instalments of the six-part docuseries have just been released on Netflix.

Stay with us as our reporters share live updates while they watch the first three episodes.

The first three episodes are due to be released by Netflix in the next few minutes.

The couple say the series, Harry & Meghan, is a chance to give their account of their relationship with the Royal Family and the media. The show is co-produced by the Sussexes themselves.

It is scheduled to appear on Netflix from 08:00 GMT, with the final three episodes to be released on 15 December.

Steven McIntosh
Entertainment Reporter

I will be watching the series when it appears on Netflix at 08:00 GMT, and live-blogging it for those watching it chronologically.

One key point: this docuseries will be one-sided, to put it mildly.

While the purpose of many documentaries is to produce a fair and factual account of something that happened in real life, those which are produced by and feature celebrities tend to be sympathetic portrayals with an agenda, intended to encourage the viewer to take their side.

The subjects tend to have, if not full creative control, a significant influence - and can ensure the material used on screen is favourable towards them.

It is highly unlikely the docuseries will include any voices which oppose or challenge the couple’s claims.

Katie Razzall
Culture editor

Image source, Reuters

Harry and Meghan. Known - like a very select group of celebrities - only by their first names.

And able to generate headlines around the world before their much-anticipated Netflix series even drops.

The spectacle surrounding the documentary - being released, somewhat grandiosely, in two "volumes", each with three parts - has been a masterclass in PR.

It was teased with two trailers in the past week, the first of these timed to come out during the trans-Atlantic charm offensive/US royal visit being carried out by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The second trailer upped the ante with references to race and a "dirty game". But it's also high-risk.

Drip-feeding what’s in the programmes has allowed pushback even before the series begins.

Does the furore about the misleading images used in the trailers to suggest paparazzi harassment, for example, add to the hype or put viewers off tuning in? Netflix has clearly gone for maximum exposure.

The US streamer has pushed attention-grabbing headlines ahead of time. We don't have long now to wait before we find out whether the impact of the series justifies that strategy.

Steven McIntosh
Entertainment Reporter

Even though many Netflix subscribers won’t be able to watch Harry & Meghan until Thursday evening, the huge media interest in the couple means their most explosive claims will be reported throughout the day as journalists digest the series.

The impact of the much-publicised show could be huge, and Buckingham Palace will bracing itself for the allegations that might be made.

Like their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, it’s likely Harry and Meghan will use the series as an opportunity to shape the narrative surrounding them and the Royal Family.

Netflix is betting heavily on the show’s success, having spent a huge amount of money on signing the pair.

The company will probably be rewarded with high viewing figures - there are huge swathes of the public who will be interested in what Harry and Meghan have got to say, regardless of whether they love or loathe them.

Image source, Duke and Duchess of Sussex / Netflix/PA

Parts of the two Netflix trailers for the documentary on Harry and Meghan have been accused of using misleading footage and photos.

In the trailers, Prince Harry and Meghan talk about being side-lined by the Royal Family and hounded by the media - but at least three clips and images used are believed to have come from events that had nothing to do with the couple.

Crowds of paparazzi are shown – but in one case, analysis suggests, the group of photographers were actually at a Harry Potter premiere.

Image source, Netflix/Alamy

Other imagery appears to be from the trial of former model Katie Price.

In a third instance, a press pack seen by viewers was not pursuing the royal couple, but was instead following then-President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen.

Netflix and the Sussex’s production company Archewell have not commented on the allegations. Our colleague Steven McIntosh, who’ll be live-blogging the episodes as he watches them, explains more here.