Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Netflix documentary ‘delayed’ after backlash over ‘King Charles plotline in The Crown’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix documentary has been delayed amid backlash over the new series of The Crown.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's highly anticipated show - set to tell their "love story" - has been pushed back until 2023, it is understood.
Netflix execs are reportedly "rattled" by the ongoing storm around the latest series of their hit drama The Crown, which is being released on November 9.
Bosses have been blasted for “inventing” scenes of a younger Charles trying to oust the Queen.
The show is also under fire for filming the last moments of Princess Diana — played by Elizabeth Debicki — before the 1997 car crash in Paris that killed her.
Netflix hasn't announced an official launch date for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's documentary - but it was rumoured that it would be in December.
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As outrage rages on, bosses at the streaming giant felt it wouldn't be appropriate to stream The Crown in November followed immediately by Meghan and Harry's show a month later, insiders claim.
A source told : "They’re rattled at Netflix, and they blinked first and decided to postpone the documentary."
Harry and Meghan earlier requested a delay to the hit show, putting them at loggerheads with Netflix chiefs, reports claim.
And The Sun revealed last month that Harry was trying to make late edits to his £35million book in the wake of the Queen’s death, fearing parts were “insensitive” and needed “refining”.
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And now, makers of the Netflix show have claimed some of Harry’s comments in the book are at odds with those he has made on camera.
A source told the New York Post: “A lot in the show contradicted what Harry has written (in his book), so that was an issue.
“Then Harry and Meghan made significant requests to walk back content they themselves have provided for their own project.”
Harry and Meghan are said to discuss other royals — including King Charles, Camilla and Prince William — on their documentary, directed by top US documentary maker Liz Garbus.
Sources said late edits are unwelcome as it needs translating into other languages.
One explained: “Netflix needs a couple of months to do all of the formatting and dubbing, subtitling and audio — the stuff that enables it to launch.”
The California-based couple have previously levelled racism accusations at the royals.
But The Sun told last week how they hoped for a reconciliation after the book and series come out.
They avoided criticising the Queen but it is feared they could have aimed barbs at Charles and Camilla before he became King.
Royal author Angela Levin said: “I am not surprised that they have found contradictions because you cannot trust what Harry and Meghan say.
“Meghan has ‘her truth’ and Harry is too weak to contradict her, even going along with the claim they had their wedding three days before the real thing in their Oprah interview.
“I think they may be worried about criticism of Charles and Camilla because they’ve seen how popular they are, with thousands lining the streets around the Queen’s funeral.”
'MALICIOUS FICTION'
It comes amid wide-spread outrage at the latest series of The Crown.
Imagined conversations between ex-PM John Major, the Queen, and the then-Prince of Wales are set to feature in the new series, released on Netflix next month.
There are rumours one plot line sees Prince Charles ask the PM for his support for the Queen’s abdication.
Mr Major spoke of his fears the “damaging and malicious fiction” could unfairly harm the reputation of King Charles.
In a statement, a spokesman for Sir John said: “Sir John has not cooperated in any way with The Crown.
"Discussions between the Monarch and Prime Minister are entirely private and, for Sir John, will always remain so.”
And The Sun revealed how Netflix is to show Prince Philip pursuing an affair in The Crown — just weeks after the Queen’s funeral.
He will be shown in intimate scenes with close pal Penny Knatchbull.
The Queen’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said: “This is cruel rubbish.”
Royal experts said showing intimate scenes with Philip and family pal Penny was cruel so soon after the Queen was laid to rest next to her husband.
Netflix considered stalling the release of the fifth series, but will go ahead on November 9 as planned.
Viewers will see the Duke of Edinburgh, who died 18 months ago, pursuing an affair with high society beauty Penny, now the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, 69.
They are seen touching hands as he divulges details of his marriage.
It infuriated experts including the Queen’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter.
He said: “Coming just weeks after the nation laid Her Majesty to rest next to Prince Philip, this is very distasteful and, quite frankly, cruel rubbish.
“The truth is that Penny was a long-time friend of the whole family. Netflix are not interested in people’s feelings.”
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