Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s fallout with the royal family is well-documented – not least because of his explosive memoir Spare and their tell-all Netflix show.
And royal fans had a sign of things to come back in 2019 when Meghan spoke to Tom Bradby during the couple’s royal visit to South Africa.
ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey followed the newlyweds’ tour of part of the continent and marked the first time Meghan had shared her unhappiness.
She became visibly emotional in front of presenter Tom Bradby as she admitted her past year as a member of the royal family had been “hard”.
Now, former ITN editorial director Chris Shaw has reflected on the broadcaster’s headline-grabbing interview with the Duchess, saying the “little conversation in South Africa” seemed “so outlandishly unexpected and shocking”.
Mr Shaw, who announced his departure from the company in January after 25 years, also said there is a “contradiction” between the Sussexes’ desire for privacy and their willingness to speak about their private lives.
Speaking to Deadline, Mr Shaw was asked whether the team behind the programme instantly knew the footage was “explosive”.
He said: “That little conversation in South Africa seemed so outlandishly unexpected and shocking … we knew we had something pretty extraordinary.”
Harry and Meghan went on to step back from royal duties and move to Montecito – before publicly criticizing members of the royal family.
Mr Shaw added: “I feel a bit sorry for them because I think they’re in the eye of the most appalling storm and they didn’t mean to go there.”
