Lifetime movie 'Harry & Meghan' slammed for teaser showing Duchess dying like Diana
The Sussexes are facing a major backlash after the trailer of a new film showed Meghan Markle "dying" underneath an overturned car following a horror crash, echoing the tragic death of Princess Diana.
Lifetime's third made-for-TV movie 'Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace' will reportedly dramatize the Sussexes' "controversial conscious uncoupling from the crown, after the birth of their son Archie," per its synopsis. In the teaser, it was revealed that the movie will feature a dream sequence in the opening scene that sees the Duchess of Sussex in a car accident; the teaser comes just days after the 24th anniversary of Diana's death in Paris, the Daily Mail reported.
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A desperate Prince Harry is seen pushing his way through a mob of photographers before reaching the overturned car and pulling the door open. Meghan, who is severely injured, pleads with him to help her. It is then revealed that the ordeal is just one of Harry's nightmares as he wakes up and is comforted to see his wife and their son Archie safe and sound.
The trailer has received considerable pushback from royal fans due to the disturbing parallels to the real-life death of Harry's own mother. "Meghan Markle 'lies dying' after a car crash at the start of new TV film - bloody tasteless if you ask me! Profiting of #Diana's memory and playing #victim!" one Twitter user wrote.
"Absolutely out of order, what are they thinking, this is so low I feel sick!" another added.
"They’ve lost control of their lives, I can’t believe even they are ok with this sick stunt," a comment read.
"It's light-minded to believe the narrative around #MeghanMarkle that 'history repeats itself.' She knew exactly who Diana was. Copying her before meeting Harry, making him "see the resemblance", pretending "not being aware of the global interest" to then play the DianaCard," a user opined.
"They will do anything to make money off Diana's passing!" another chimed in.
Meghan Markle 'lies dying' after car crash at start of new TV film 🤦♀️ - bloody tasteless if you ask me! Profiting of #Diana's memory and playing #victim! #freeloaders https://t.co/kb3maYUJcz via @Femail
— Peony (@blub99999) September 3, 2021
Outrage over Meghan Markle movie as she's shown dying in car wreck like Diana Absolutely out of order, what are they thinking, this is so low I feel sick! https://t.co/kKNnyxCDiz
— shaleen skinner (@skinner_shaleen) September 3, 2021
They’ve lost control of their lives, I can’t believe even they are ok with this sick stunt.
— Flo (@MrsNotAFlorist) September 3, 2021
Meghan Markle lies DYING underneath crashed car, just like Diana, in controversial opening 'Harry dream sequence' of new TV film.https://t.co/Ckzvxg8djq
Sorry, it´s light minded to believe the narrative around #MeghanMarkle that "history repeats itself". She KNEW EXACTLY who Diana was. Copying her before meeting Harry, making him "see the resemblance", pretending "not being aware of the global interest" to then play the DianaCard https://t.co/igiijW1GZO
— PleaseBeHonestDearMeghanMarkle (@Tellitl66077922) September 3, 2021
Meghan Markle 'lies dying' underneath an overturned car at start of controversial new TV film-horrible...they will do anything to make money off Diana's passing! https://t.co/1cJNAnvk7F
— WildcatWilma (@Dogmommaz3) September 3, 2021
The roles of Harry and Meghan are being played by British actor Jordan Dean and American actress Sydney Morton respectively. Stills from the new film, shot in Vancouver, also show passionate embraces between the couple in bed in their lavish Montecito mansion. The Sussexes have been portrayed in several movies to date. Murray Fraser and Parisa Fitz-Henley played the couple in 'Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance', while Charlie Field and Tiffany Smith took over the roles in 'Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal'.
The latest drama is slated to broadcast in the United States on Monday. It is said to explore the "real details" behind why Harry and Meghan eventually decided to leave their royal life behind. According to a press statement, the movie will "detail Meghan's growing isolation and sadness, their disappointment that The Firm was not defending them against the press's attacks, and Harry's fear that history would repeat itself and he would not be able to protect his wife and son from the same forces that caused his mother's untimely death."