BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell has shared his thoughts on Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix docu-series, which premiered on the streaming platform on Thursday, December 8. The six-part series, which is called Harry & Meghan and has released three episodes so far, explores why the couple left their royal duties behind.
Whilst chatting about the controversial series on the BBC News at 10, viewers were quick to pick up on Witchell’s disdain for the couple. At one point during the interview with Welsh newsreader Huw Edwards, the 69-year-old royal journalist even exclaimed, “Really?”, when quoting Meghan Markle.
When asked by Edwards for his thoughts, Witchell began: “Well, one thing we can say with certainty is this is a couple who continue to divide opinion very sharply. It is a couple who could not or would not fit into the accepted template of the British Royal Family.”
Read more: The big points Welsh people are making about the Harry and Meghan Netflix series
“Supporters who see these films will see them and regard them as a touching love story - a couple seeking happiness in difficult circumstances. Critics will see these films and regard them as further evidence of their indulgence and self obsession,” he added.
Witchell then discussed how the palace would view the documentary films. “The palace, I think, will be relieved on the central and most sensitive issue of race. There is no new explicit allegation against the Royal Family,” he added before confirming that Prince Harry’s “main target” is the media.
"His main target once again is the media, as it has been on so many occasions in the past. Press intrusion on a gross scale, that is a theme running through all three programmes. But at times I think credibility is severely stretched."
He then referred to a statement by Meghan in which she declared: "No matter what I did they were still going to find a way to destroy me." He said of this: "Really!? I’m not sure that claim would stand up to fair-minded and proper scrutiny. Royal officials who were assigned to them tried desperately to help them - they found it very very difficult. And yet it is the Sussexes who are convinced that they are the victims."
Viewers tuning in to Witchell’s BBC News interview shared their thoughts on his comments. One person said: “Saw Nicholas Witchell trending. Sad to report, it's because he's been on TV offering his worthless opinion,” reacting negatively to his appearance. A second person agreed and even suggested the BBC replace him as Royal correspondent, writing: “Dear @BBCNews Nicholas Witchell is past his sell-by date and comes across as a pompous twit. A reshuffle is required.”
Elsewhere, another person implied that Witchell struggles with the impartiality and wrote: “Nicholas Witchell doesn’t do impartiality does he?” A fourth person added: “Time for him to retire.” For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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