TV news in the United Kingdom has led with the series, in which Prince Harry accuses his family of having an “unconscious bias” against his biracial wife, and Markle characterises the British media as being out to “destroy” her.

The six-part documentary series follows the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from their first flirtations through their dramatic departure from London to California, where they live on a sprawling ranch in Santa Barbara County. It was filmed between 2020 and 2022 and wrapped up before the queen’s death in September.

Queen Elizabeth’s son King Charles will have his formal coronation in May. His elder son and Harry’s brother – Prince William – is next in line for the throne.

“They do appear to be declaring war on the family,” said Pauline Maclaran, a professor of consumer research at Royal Holloway, University of London, who studies the royal family’s global image. “In a way, they are establishing their own royal court – in America – away from the legitimate court across the Atlantic.”

The prince and Markle, an actress known for the show Suits, previously aired their grievances over life as royals in a two-hour interview with Oprah Winfrey that released in March 2021. Markle, 41, ignited controversy at the time when she said a member of the royal family, whom she did not name, had asked before her first child’s birth “how dark his skin might be when he’s born”.

In an interview, Dickie Arbiter, a prolific royal commentator and former press secretary for Elizabeth, described the Harry & Meghan episodes as “boring programmes”.

“The only thing we learn is that they are so wrapped up in themselves that nothing else matters,” he said.

Nonetheless, he added, “merely doing this documentary is still an attack on the family. [An] olive branch it ain’t”.

A tabloid’s main online story on December 8 described the documentary as “Netfibs”, detailing five times that the couple appeared to have changed their story. Another article was headlined “Mega Show”, a play on Markle’s nickname “Meg”.

In London, where the population’s feelings on the royals ranges from deep respect to indifference and even disdain, a few pubs were said to be showing the series on the day of its release, though public viewing parties were not widespread.

“What I like most about these two is how they stick it to the monarchy,” said Rachel Mandeville, 34, a finance worker who lives in Hackney in East London. “I heard it was going to be aired at some of the local pubs, but I’m just going to watch at home whenever I get time.”

Her friend and neighbour, Jeffrey Jules, who also works in finance, had a different take.

“I’m not a fan of the monarchy at all,” said Jules, 36, who had watched one episode so far. “But I do question the motives behind this series. Is it money or fame or to get back at your sibling and father?”

The palace has not commented on the show. On December 8, at an Advent service in London, Charles ignored a question shouted his way about his take on the Netflix release, and instead wished cheering crowds a “happy Christmas”.

Two trailers for the series have been attacked for using footage that is misleading or inaccurate. Some shots that appear to depict the media hounding the couple were from events unrelated to the pair.

Nicoletta Gullace, a professor at the University of New Hampshire who studies the royal family and modern British history, said that in the budding war between the Sussexes and the royals in the UK, the winner was yet to be determined. She also said that such rivalry is nothing new.

“The idea of a split in any royal family been going on for centuries. You always have this, maybe with one younger son versus an older one, or other family members,” she said.

And “now you have two giant media machines. One is Netflix and one is the palace”, Gullace said. “They are duking it out for who can hold the attention of the public. I think the result will have to wait until the full series comes out and we see what’s the totality of it.”