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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Ellie Kemp

Nine things we learned from Harry and Meghan episode one from first date to sneaking into Kensington Palace

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's long-awaited Netflix documentary has launched on Netflix today (Thursday December 8).

The first three episodes are now available to stream, with the second half of the series to drop a week later on Thursday December 15. The programme will explore the early days of the formal royal couple's relationship - as well as their decision to ultimately step down as senior members of the family.

Harry's relationship with his brother William and his dad King Charles are also expected to be discussed. The pair look set to outline Meghan's treatment by the press and challenge allegations that the duchess bullied staff.

Read more: How much are Harry and Meghan getting paid for their Netflix deal?

Meanwhile commentary from friends and family, most of whom have never spoken publicly before about what they witnessed, will feature. All the interviews were filmed in August 2022.

The 'Harry & Meghan' show, billed as 'unprecedented and in-depth', is airing exactly three months after the death of Harry's grandmother the late Queen, with the Windsors still grieving and the King less than 100 days into his reign.

Here are the nine things we learnt from episode 1...

Why they decided to make the series and how the idea came about

Meghan revealed that the couple wanted to make the documentary to 'let people have a bit more of an a glimpse into what happened' and who they are. She added: "People we don't know have written books about our story. Doesn't it make more sense to hear it from us?"

Harry said a friend suggested the couple document themselves during that period of time. He thought it was a 'sensible idea,' especially as there was 'a lot of disinformation' surrounding their departure from the Royal family.

Harry and Meghan met over Instagram

If sliding into the DMs on Instagram is good enough for royalty, then it's good enough for us! The couple revealed that they first got talking on the social media platform after Harry's friend had shared a video of themselves and Meghan.

The actress was donning the famous Snapchat dog ears filter in the clip. From there, Harry and Meghan swapped numbers and were 'constantly in touch.'

Harry was late for his and Meghan's first date

Meghan was having a 'single girl summer' with plans to travel Europe before she met Harry. The House of Cards star went to watch Wimbledon in 2016 and had arranged to finally meet Harry the next day.

Their first date - and first time meeting in person - was at 76 Dean Street in Soho. But Harry turned up late. He admitted he was 'panicking, freaking out' and 'sweating' as he rushed to meet Meghan.

Meghan thought he was one of 'these egotistical men' who any girl would wait half an hour for - she wasn't interested in that. But once Harry arrived she said he was very sweet and apologetic for being late.

They arranged dinner for the next night.

Harry has a 'second family' and friends in Africa that 'literally brought him up'

At 18 years old, while dealing with the paparazzi and still grieving for his mother, Harry took a trip to Lesotho in Southern Africa. He met Prince Seeiso, who hadn't long lost his own mum, and Harry said they quickly 'became like brothers.'

Harry would visit the Prince annually and sometimes spent three months at a time away in Africa. "Lesotho gave me the space and the freedom to breathe, to live and to grow," he said. "I've got a second family out there and a group of friends that literally brought me up."

Harry took Meghan on a trip to Africa - after only meeting in person twice

As part of her summer of adventure, Meghan took Harry up on an offer to visit Botswana together. Despite having only met in person twice before the couple lived in a tent together for five days.

The trip was the first time they'd seen each other in a month. The couple remember Harry handing Meghan a chicken sandwich, jumping in Land Cruiser and 'off they went.'

They sat together, progressed to holding hands and 'squeezed in a kiss' between the bumps. Meghan said of the trip: "We had to get to know each other before the rest of the world and before the media joined in.

"We could both be completely ourselves. There were no distractions, no cell phone signal, no mirrors, no 'how do I look?' Thankfully we really liked each other."

Harry was terrified of Meghan being driven away by the media

The Prince said he was terrified of the media driving Meghan away - especially after how his own mother, Princess Diana, had been treated by the media.

In the first episode of the documentary, he acknowledged the 'pain and suffering' of women marrying into the Royal family. He added: "I remember thinking: 'how can I ever find someone who is willing and capable to withstand all the baggage that comes with being with me.'

"Every relationship I had within a matter of weeks or months were splattered all over the newspapers and that person's family harassed and lives turned upside down."

He added that he was terrified of Meghan being driven away by the media - "the same media that had driven so many other people away from me".

Harry would sneak Meghan into Kensington Palace

The loved-up couple wanted to keep their relationship a secret for as long as possible so they could get to know each other without the media intruding. Meghan described their long-distance relationship as 'exciting, relaxed and easy.'

She implemented a two-week rule, where she would want the couple to see each other in person every fortnight if they could. It was easier for Meghan to visit Harry in the UK 'under-the-radar.'

Harry said Meghan would stay with him at Kensington Palace and they would get to know each other without anyone taking photographs and it becoming news - but it was always a risk.

He explained: "Getting her through the police barrier and onto Kensington palace is a risk in itself, right? Because it's not about who you trust, it's about who they trust. That's literally how it works".

The pair had been dating for four months, from July 2016, until the news of their relationship broke in early November.

Meghan is 'so similar' to Princess Diana, says Harry

Prince Harry said: "So much of what Meghan is and how she is is so similar to my mum. She has the same compassion, she has the same empathy, the same confidence, she has this warmth about her."

Meghan and Harry have a photo of Diana on their wall - and are making sure their children learn about their grandma

In one emotional scene, Meghan can be seen showing baby Archie a large framed photo of Princess Diana on their wall. Archie is taking in the photo as Meghan asks: "Who's that? Yeah, that's your grandma Diana."

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