Netflix dropped the second trailer of Harry & Meghan, the anticipated documentary of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, the promo raised several eyebrows because it featured several stock images and footage that many felt was unrelated to the royal couple.
Did Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Fake The Press Hounding Photo In Their Netflix Trailer?
One photo featured in the second trailer of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's docuseries was taken during their 2019 South Africa tour. The snap featured a photographer taking photos of them on the balcony while they were walking with their back to the camera and the duchess carrying their son, Archie.
British journalist and correspondent Robert Jobson, who was among the royal rota, reacted because the shot seemingly insinuates that the press is intruding on their privacy, Page Six reported. Jobson clarified that he was there and only accredited photographers were allowed to take photos. So, there was no intrusion of privacy.
"This photograph used by Netflix and Harry and Meghan to suggest intrusion by the press is a complete travesty. It was taken from an accredited pool at Archbishop Tutu's residence in Cape Town. Only 3 people were in the accredited position. [Harry and Meghan] agreed the position. I was there," Jobson tweeted Monday alongside the picture.
"This shot by me from the same accredited pool position on my iPhone was taken at Archbishop Tutu's Cape Town residence," he added in another tweet alongside the photo. "There was no intrusion. I was part of a 3-person UK palace pool. Nobody else was allowed in and we shared the words and photos with the UK Media."
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Allegedly Used Unrelated Stock Photos And Footage In The Trailer
Aside from Jobson, other netizens noticed that there were stock images featured in the trailer. One snap featured dozens of photographers pointing their lenses at an unseen subject, with Prince Harry saying, "I had to do everything I could to protect my family."
However, it turned out that the snap was taken at the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," in 2011, years before Prince Harry and Markle met. Apparently, it was not related to them.
Doug Seeburg, a photographer for The Sun who appeared in the picture, spoke about the photo in question.
"I remember going to the premiere," he claimed on The Sun. "It was a huge event. Crowds and crowds of fans had turned out in the rain and camped overnight to see the actors. There were no members of the royal family there."
"In the Netflix trailer it's implied the photographers, including me, were trying to get a shot of the royal couple – but that's nonsense," he continued. "For a picture from that premiere to turn up in this trailer about Harry and Meghan seems like lazy picture research."
It also featured unrelated stock footage showing photographers taking pictures of former president Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen.
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Netizens Slammed The Sussexes For Using Stock Images
Following the various reports about the stock images and footage in the trailer, several netizens slammed the couple.
"They're complaining about paparazzi stalking but can't seem to find any photos of photographers hounding them and need to use stock images," one critic wrote.
"Why use other people's experiences in a reality series about your life?? Because they never had the experiences they are peddling. They are both liars, frauds and con artists," another user claimed.
"If it was as bad as they claim, they shouldn't need stock footage should they," a third Twitter user added.
Meanwhile, some also defended the Sussexes. According to them, it's normal for documentaries to use stock images, so it should not be a big deal.
"This is a tad overreacting. As a video editor for nationally syndicated documentaries and other programming, b-roll is often comprised of 'similar' themed footage to convey a sense of what it may have looked like. It's a common occurrence, not a definitive 'this is what happened,'" one person commented.
"Why is this a shocker? Documentary filmmakers ALWAYS do this! The point still stands; paparazzo and press are intrusive," another added.
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