The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's controversial documentary has aired on Netflix amid fears of bombshell allegations against the royal family.
Harry & Meghan - a six-part docuseries - dropped on the streaming giant at 8am in the UK on Thursday. However, the Royal Family are not watching the show.
In a statement that appeared in the opening episode, Netflix said: "Members of the Royal Family declined to comment on the content within this series." But a friend close to the royal family said the situation concerns "real people" and there is a "great deal of sadness" involved.
READ MORE: Harry and Meghan latest news today: What did they say in Netflix documentary?
They said: "It's really important to remember that these are real people. This isn't a soap opera. They are human beings and a family and there's a great deal of sadness."
Harry's father Charles and brother William, along with Camilla and Kate, are not expected to watch the series, but royal aides will be tasked with closely monitoring the output and considering if and how to respond.
The King and the royal family will be carrying on with royal duties as normal on Thursday, with the documentary coinciding with the first circulation of coins bearing Charles's effigy in post offices around the UK - symbolic of the adjustments continuing in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's death.
Its premiere comes 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.
The first three episodes are steaming now, with the second volume of three set to be released on December 15.
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