Prince Harry hits back at ‘manipulative’ claim he said ‘Brits need to learn a lesson’

The royal is in damage control after his alleged comments about the British monarchy resurfaced, as a photo in his new Netflix series is dubbed a “fake”.

Prince Harry has furiously rejected claims he told a friend “those Brits need to learn a lesson” prior to his interview with Oprah Winfrey.

It’s also claimed Prince Harry said that he knew the royal family would find the sit-down with America’s most revered talk show host “quite shocking.”

But a Sussex spokesman has rejected the claims describing it as “shameful and manipulative” in a statement shared by royal journalist Omid Scobie.

“This is a baseless hit piece masquerading as journalism. This story is riddled with inaccuracies, not least of which is a quote erroneously attributed to Prince Harry,” the spokesman said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in a personal photo shared in their new docuseries. Picture: Netflix

“To accuse a man who spent 10 years serving his country of wanting to teach that same country a lesson is not only an attempted distraction but an unfortunate and predictable tabloid strategy. To put him against his country is shameful and manipulative, especially when Prince Harry has never spoken ill of the British public.”

The drama has unfolded just days before the launch of Prince Harry’s Netflix docuseries.

In the new series the Duke is talks about getting therapy over his mum Diana’s death and his father King Charles’s affair with Camilla.

Senior sources told The Sun that Prince Harry’s pre-Oprah comments expose his continuing animosity against his family.

Ahead of the March 2021 TV chat he told the friend: “This is going to be quite shocking. Those Brits need to learn a lesson.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly filmed inside Buckingham Palace without the Queen’s permission. Picture: Netflix

Prince Harry then accused the royals of racism and claimed they ignored wife Meghan Markle’s suicidal thoughts.

It comes as the Sussexes reportedly took a private photographer into Buckingham Palace to snap images without the Queen’s permission.

It comes after the explosive preview for the couple’s series on Netflix revealed unseen footage of the pair.

The controversial Netflix trailer features an image which appears to have been taken inside Buckingham Palace, showing the couple walking out of the garden entrance.

In the photo, the Sussexes walk towards the French doors, which are being held open by two footmen.

The Netflix series charts the pair’s relationship from the early days. Picture: Netflix

Meghan Markle appears to wipe a tear away in one of the stills from the new series. Picture: Netflix

Markle is wearing a winter coat and heels, and appears to be holding a handbag similar to an outfit she wore to a farewell lunch at the Goring Hotel during her March 2020 “farewell” visit before she and Prince Harry headed back to California.

According to The Telegraph, the photographer’s presence inside Buckingham Palace resulted in a written complaint from royal aides at the time.

It is alleged the Sussexes did not send a memo to the Queen asking to film in the private quarters of her home.

One source said: “It’s fair to say there was surprise to see there was a photographer.

“In usual circumstances, you need permission to take pictures in that area.”

One insider said the presence of the photographer in the palace was a “genuine violation” of protocol, the Mail Online reports.

The image was just one of many taken for behind-the-scenes shots which aired in the trailer, and could air in the upcoming six-part tell-all documentary, which explores the Sussexes’ relationship.

HOW PRINCE WILLIAM WILL REACT TO DOCO

The Prince of Wales is ready to push back against any “wild claims” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex make in their Netflix documentary, palace insiders say.

“The Prince and Princesses’ team will wait and see what’s in the Netflix series before deciding what to do, but you can see the direction of travel”, a source told the Express.

Prince William is preparing to push back against any “wild claims” his brother or Meghan Markle make in their upcoming documentary. Picture: Getty Images

Kensington Palace officials are now preparing to deal with issues up front, rather than let them bubble away, with Prince William understood to not want to sit back if they make any wild claims.

The royal family took two days to respond to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Oprah Winfrey interview, where racist claims about the family were made.

Buckingham Palace sources say there is mounting frustration about the Sussxes’ complaints about the royal family.

The Princess and Prince of Wales arrive at the 2022 Earthshot Prize ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Picture: AFP

PAPARAZZI TRAILER PHOTO FAKE: THE SUN

A photograph of paparazzi used in the trailer for the upcoming Harry and Meghan Netflix series has been called into question.

An image of rows of press photographers engaged in taking photos - supposedly for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - was actually taken years before the couple met, according to The Sun.

An image of the press pack used in the trailer for Harry and Meghan’s upcoming documentary. Picture: Netflix

The press pack was instead gathered for the London premiere of the final installment of the Harry Potter franchise: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Sun reports, noting their press photographers were in the pack.

The Sun photographer Doug Seeburg was spotted in the image used in the Netflix trailer.

The image is used in a trailer for the Sussexes show in a clip where Prince Harry says, “I had to do everything I could to protect my family.”

“I don’t imagine Harry would have realised, but Netflix have been careless here as it weakens Harry’s comment about protecting his family. This fake picture weakens his point,” royal expert Ingrid Seward told The Sun.

ARCHEWELL BOSS LEAVES DAYS BEFORE NETFLIX DOCO RELEASED

Archewell president Mandana Dayani has stepped down from her roll in Meghan and Prince Harry’s media company and charitable foundation, just days before the couple’s Netflix documentary is set to drop.

Ms Dayani has overseen the day-to-day operations of Archewell for less than 18 months, and is understood to be one of at least 13 top staff to have departed since 2018.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in a scene from Harry & Meghan. Picture: Netflix

In a statement issued by Harry and Meghan’s global press secretary Ashley Hansen, Ms Dayani was “an integral part of Archewell and we are grateful for her passion, commitment and leadership”.

“Ms Dayani was brought on during their parental leave to move the company and its projects forward. She has continued to share its vision and future successfully,” the statement read

“Her transition was mutually planned, with intent for the Duke and Duchess to now take full lead of their company.

“There will be no replacement for this position, and Ms Dayani is fully supportive of the Duke and Duchess in their new leadership roles, and they remain friends.”

It’s understood Ms Dayani played a key role in developing Archetypes, Meghan’s Spotify podcast.

HARRY’S SURPRISE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

The Duke of Sussex has showed his fun side by dressing up as Spider-Man in a surprise video message for bereaved military children.

Prince Harry donned the superhero outfit and only lifted his mask to reveal his true identity at the end of the clip.

The message was for kids at Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity for bereaved British forces children and young people.

“Christmas is a time when we miss our loved ones really, really badly and that’s OK,” Prince Harry said in the video.

“But at the same time, it can be possible to feel guilty for having fun without our parents. But I am here to assure you that our parents always want us to have fun, OK? So don’t feel guilty.

“You are allowed to have the best time ever, especially with this Scotty’s Little Soldiers community. Go out there, have the best time, and Merry Christmas.”