Twitter Unconvinced After Prince Harry, Meghan Denied Asking For 'Privacy': 'That Is A Lie'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shut down the narrative that they left their roles working for the royal family for a private life, but some royal fans and critics remain unconvinced.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave a more intimate look inside their private lives in their new Netflix docuseries, "Harry & Meghan," which debuted with the first three episodes Thursday.

But some questioned why Prince Harry and Markle chose to make a documentary, suggesting that the couple's decision to relinquish their roles as senior members of the royal family and frequent criticism of the media coverage they had received meant they wanted more privacy in their lives.

"Phew. Three hours watching Harry and Meghan breach their own privacy," royal expert Angela Levin, a biographer of Prince Harry's, tweeted after the first three episodes aired Thursday.

Prince Harry and Markle responded to the backlash via a statement from their spokesperson, clarifying that they never asked for privacy when announcing their decision to stop working as senior members of the royal family in 2020.

Some Twitter users immediately reacted, claiming that the couple appeared to have changed their tune.

"Man, thank goodness Meghan 'Money Grab' Markle and her lapdog Prince Harry don't want attention. Please respect their privacy by buying the book, watching the shows and listening to the podcasts," one critic sarcastically wrote. "I honestly feel bad for the royal family. Harry should be disowned."

"The truth is action speaks louder than words. Meghan and Harry's entire movement was stealth mode. She lied and told Harry she wanted privacy. Now that the tides have turned and she is being called out and held accountable, Meghan wants to walk it back with words, but we saw your actions," a second Twitter user wrote.

"Meghan is an attention seeker. She went to the school shooting that happened a few months ago in Texas, and no one wanted her there, but she brought her own photographers. Why is that? Harry and Meghan scream privacy, but that is a lie," one commented.

Other Twitter users defended Prince Harry and Markle and expressed support for them.

"I hope this makes things clear for people claiming Harry and Meghan wanted privacy. They wanted to be independent and continue working with the royal family, but British media twisted things," one wrote.

"My husband reluctantly watched the first two episodes with me. We both really liked it. I was surprised he found it interesting," another person tweeted. "My understanding is that Meghan wanted freedom to follow her passions and define herself rather than privacy. Right?"

"Privacy is such a misunderstood and purposefully misused term. It's about control, NOT a desire to disappear," a third user said. "Hard to discuss things like Harry and Meghan when the issue has been so deliberately muddled."

In a statement to The New York Times Thursday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's global press secretary, Ashley Hansen, disputed the narrative that the couple gave up their royal duties to lead a more private life.

"Their statement announcing their decision to step back mentions nothing of privacy and reiterates their desire to continue their roles and public duties," she said. "Any suggestion otherwise speaks to a key point of this series. They are choosing to share their story, on their terms, and yet the tabloid media has created an entirely untrue narrative that permeates press coverage and public opinion. The facts are right in front of them."

As Hansen mentioned, Prince Harry and Markle's original statement made no mention of wanting more privacy.

"After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," the January 2020 announcement said in part, according to Us Weekly. "We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family, and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."

They continued, "It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honor our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages."

In March 2020, Prince Harry and Markle attended their last official royal engagement, and by February 2021, their exit from royal duties was made permanent.